SB    33    105 


AND 


ANSWERS 


A  GUIDE  TO  SUCCESS  WITH  POULTRY, 
WRITTEN-  AND  ARRANGED  IN  THE 

FORM  MOST  HELPFUL  TO  THE 
FANCIER  AND  THE  MARKET  POULTRY- 
HAN,  THE  AMATEUR  AND  THE  EXPERT 


BY    FRANK    HECK 

PRICE  OKE  I 


PUBLISHED   AND    COPYRIGHTED    BY   THE 
AUTHOR     i     :     :     i     :     :     i     :  CHICAGO,  1903 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


FROM   THE    LIBRARY  OF 

DR.  JOSEPH   LECONTE. 

GIFT  OF  MRS.   LECONTE. 
No. 


QUESTIONS 

AND 

ANSWERS 


A  GUIDE  TO  SUCCESS  WITH  POULTRY, 
WRITTEN  AND  ARRANGED  IN  THE 
FORM  MOST  HELPFUL  TO  THE 
FANCIER  AND  THE  MARKET  POULTRY- 
MAN,  THE  AMATEUR  AND  THE  EXPERT 


BY    FRANK    HECK 


PRICE  ONE 


PUBLISHED    AND    COPYRIGHTED    BY   THE 
AUTHOR     :::::::      CHICAGO,  1903 


THE  RECORDER  PUBLISHING  CO. 


PRINTERS. ...PUBLISHERS.. .ENGRAVERS 

334  Dearborn  St Phone  Harrison  4456 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


UNIVERSITY 

Preface. 


In  offering  the  contents  of  this  volume  to  those  who  are  inter- 
ested in  poultry  culture,  it  has  been  the  object  of  the  author  to  make 
clear  the  fundamental  principles  of  successful  poultry  raising  and  to 
impart  such  general  information  as  will  in  a  measure  meet  the  de- 
mands of  the  poultryman  who  is  sufficiently  interested  in  the  work 
to  seek  a  detailed  knowledge  of  the  numerous  conditions  with  which 
he  is  confronted.  The  experienced  breeder  will,  of  course,  find  much 
that  is  not  new  to  him,  but  it  is  hoped  that  to  all  who  are  not  close 
students  of  the  vocation,  there  will  be  presented  a  few  ideas  worthy 
of  consideration,  and  that  the  book  will  possess  merit  as  being  con- 
venient for  ready  reference  and  for  refreshing  the  memory  to  advan- 
tage occasionally.  Its  greatest  value,  perhaps,  will  be  to  the  amateur 
or  beginner  who  feels  the  need  of  information  of  a  purely  rudimen- 
tary character,  as  well  as  a  knowledge  of  the  more  intricate  prob- 
lems, the  correct  solution  of  which  has  so  great  a  bearing  upon  suc- 
cess. An  effort  has  been  made  to  cover  both  branches  of  the  busi- 
ness usually  designated  as  fancy  and  utility,  and  to  aid  both  the 
fancier  who  breeds  fowls  for  pleasure  and  exhibition  and  the  market- 
poultryman  who  is  interested  only  in  the  number  of  eggs  and  pounds 
of  flesh  that  his  fowls  produce.  Theories  and  undemonstrable  deduc- 
tions have  been  eliminated,  or  designated  as  such,  and  the  positive 
conclusions  arrived  at  are  supported  by  the  experience  of  acknowl- 
edged authorities  and  conspicuously  successful  breeders,  as  well  as 
the  experience  of  the  author  as  a  breeder,  exhibitor,  judge  and  edi- 
tor, in  which  positions  the  numerous  phases  of  the  business  have  been 
presented  and  dealt  with.  The  great  variety  of  topics  and  the  nature 
of  their  arrangement  precludes  the  possibility  of  a  detailed  classified 
index,  and,  in  the  absence  of  it,  the  reader  will  find  it  convenient  to 
designate  by  marginal  notes  those  questions  which  may  be  of  great- 
est interest  and  to  which  it  is  desirable  to  refer  often.  The  form 
adopted  for  presenting  the  information — namely,  that  of  questions 
and  answers — has  been  chosen  for  the  reason  that  it  responds  to  a 
universal  and  unmistakable  demand  for  knowledge  in  few  words  and 
to  the  point,  devoid  of  all  unnecessary  and  uninteresting  preliminary 
introductions  and  supplementary  comments  of  a  general  character. 
The  fondest  hope  of  the  author  is  that  the  book  may  prove  of  real 
value  to  those  into  whose  hands  it  may  fall. 

THE  AUTHOR. 

Sept.  i,  1903. 


186714 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Table  of  Contents 

Preface 5 

Special  Questions  for  the  Fancier 8-33 

Eggs 37-43 

Feeding 44-55 

Chicks 56-60 

Houses 62-67 

Diseases 68-81 

Incubators  and  Brooders,  Natural  and  Artifical  Incubation 

and  Brooding 82-93 

Turkeys,  Ducks  and  Geese 94-97 

Miscellaneous 98-131 

Special  Announcement 133 

Advertisements..  134-147 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Special  Questions  for  the  Fancier. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  single  mating  plan  of  producing  Barred 
Rocks? 

ANSWER  — By  single  mating  is  meant  the  selection  of  a  Stand- 
ard colored  male  mated  to  Standard  colored  females  with  a  view  to 
producing  both  males  and  females  of  Standard  color  from  the  one 
mating.  A  mating  of  this  kind  usually  produces  males  that  are  too 
light  in  color  and  females  that  are  too  dark. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  double  mating  plan  of  producing 
Barred  Rocks? 

ANSWER — It  is  the  system  of  using  birds  of  different  shades  of 
color  to  produce  Standard  colored  birds.  In  order  to  produce  Stand- 
ard colored  exhibition  males,  a  male  bird  of  Standard  color  is  mated 
to  females  a  few  shades  darker  than  Standard.  The  males  from 
this  mating  will  be  good  in  color  and  the  females  very  much  too 
dark.  To  produce  Standard  colored  exhibition  females  a  male  a 
few  shades  lighter  than  the  Standard  is  mated  to  females  that  are 
Standard.  The  females  from  this  mating  will  be  of  the  proper  color, 
but  the  males  will  be  much  too  light. 


QUESTION — Is  double  mating  practiced  with  other  breeds  than 
the  Barred  Rocks? 

ANSWER — Yes,  nearly  all  parti-colored  breeds  have  some  friends 
who  believe  in  double  mating. 


QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  "culls"? 

ANSWER — The  term  "cull"  is  given  to  fowls  that  are  from  the 
best  breeding,  but  are  lacking  in  strong  development  of  one  or  more 
features  which  must  be  present  to  make  them  good  exhibition  speci- 
mens. 


QUESTION — How  is  the  score  of  a  pen  of  birds  in  the  show 
room  determined? 

ANSWER — An  exhibition  pen  consists  of  four  females  and  one 
male.  The  scores  of  the  four  best  females  are  add'ed  and  this  total 
divided  by  four.  To  the  amount  thus  obtained  is  added  the  score  of 
the  male,  and  this  total  is  score  of  the  pen, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  9 

QUESTION — What  causes  brassy  color  in  white  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  inherited  from  ancestors  the  same  as  any  other 
color  or  characteristic,  but  it  is  often  intensified  and  first  brought  out 
by  exposure  to  the  hot  summer  sun. 


QUESTION — When  can  a  breeder  claim  to  have  strain? 

ANSWER — A  strain  is  a  family  of  any  variety  of  fowls  bred  in 
line  by  descent,  by  one  fancier  or  a  successor,  during-  a  number  of 
years,  that  has  acquired  individual  characteristics  which  distinguish 
it  more  or  less  from  other  strains  or  specimens  of  the  same  variety. 


QUESTION — Does  continued  confinement  in  the  show  room  for 
three  or  four  weeks  injure  birds  as  breeders? 

ANSWER — Yes,  in  most  cases.  The  best  of  feed  and  care  and 
favorable  conditions  generally  are  necessary  to  offset  the  effects  of 
the  confinement. 


QUESTION — What  causes  crooked  breast  bones-? 
ANSWER — Roosting  too  early  or  roosting  on  perches  that  are 
too  narrow. 


QUESTION — Does  the  feeding  of  yellow  corn  have  a  tendency 
to  increase  or  maintain  the  brassy  and  cream  color  in  white  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — There  is  a  more  or  less  common  belief  that  it  does, 
but  no  one  has  ever  yet  satisfactorily  proven  it. 


QUESTION — What  causes  wry  tail,  and  is  it  hereditary? 

ANSWER — It  may  be  a  constitutional  defect,  in  which  case  it 
would  to  some  extent  be  transmitted  to  the  offspring.  It  may  also 
result  from  an  injury  or  forced  carriage  of  the  tail,  in  which  case 
it  is  not  hereditary,  and  may  be  overcome  in  the  specimen  affected. 


QUESTION — Is  it  possible  for  adult  fowls  to  naturally  develop 
off  color  in  one  or  more  feathers? 

ANSWER — Yes.  In  exceptional  cases  serious  debilitating  ill- 
ness may  cause  it  or  an  injury  to  plumage,  such  as  a  broken  feather 
while  it  is  growing.  Such  feathers  should  be  pulled,  and  they  will 
generally  grow  in  again  true  to  color. 


QUESTION — Will  bantams  and  the  large  breeds  interbreed  if 
allowed  to  run  together? 

ANSWER — A  certain  amount  of  crossing  will  take  place  an<} 
some  of  the  eggs  from  these  matings  will  prove  fertile. 


10  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Do  buff  fowls  become  lighter  with  each  succeeding 
molt  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  There  is  a  shade  or  two  difference  in  the 
color  and  a  little  white  may  appear,  especially  in  females. 


QUESTION — Is  the  rose  comb  on  the  Wyandotte  as  easy  to 
breed  as  the  single  comb  on  the  Plymouth  Rock? 

ANSWER — There  is  about  the  same  percentage  of  good  combs 
found  in  each  breed,  but  in  say  50  birds  of  equal  quality  of  each 
breed  selected  at  random  the  single  combs  as  a  lot  would  approach 
nearer  perfection  than  the  rose  combs. 


QUESTION — Will  a  mating  of  high  grade  Wyandottes  ever  pro- 
duce chicks  with  single  combs  ? 

ANSWER — Occasionally  a  single  comb  chick  will  appear,  but 
it  should  be  discarded. 


QUESTION — When  was  the  Standard  last  revised? 
ANSWER — 1903. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  most  objectionable  in  buff  fowls, 
black  or  white? 

ANSWER — Some  breeders  claim  that  they  are  equally  objection- 
able, but  the  majority  would  rather  see  black  than  white. 


QUESTION — Is  it  reasonable  to  expect  cockerels  and  pullets  to 
reach  Standard  weight  at  nine  months  of  age? 

ANSWER — Only  a  portion  of  any  flock  will  do  it  and  generally 
not  more  than  25  per  cent. 


QUESTION — Does  one  parent  have  more  influence  on  the  size 
of  the  progeny  than,  the  other  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  believed  by  many  experienced  breeders  that  the 
female  influences  size  and  the  male,  color. 


QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  "frosting"  in  the  plumage  of  a 
fowl? 

ANSWER — A  marginal  edging  or  tracing  of  color  on  feathers  of 
laced,  spangled  and  penciled  varieties. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  hackle  feathers  ? 
ANSWER — The  long,  narrow  feathers  growing1  on  the  neck  of 
fowl  and  out  of  the  saddle  of  male  birds, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  11 

QUESTION — What  size  is  best  or  usual  for  exhibition  coops  ? 
ANSWER — 28    inches    deep,    30   inches    high    and    any    length 
desired;  18  inches  will  answer  for  single  birds  of  medium  size. 


QUESTION — When  introducing  new  blood  into  a  flock  is  it  bet- 
ter to  do  it  through  a  male  than  a  female  ? 

ANSWER — Using  a  male  is  much  quicker  and  is  usually  best, 
but  in  a  long  established  line-bred  flock  it  is  better  to  use  a  female. 


QUESTION — In  breeding  for  fancy  purposes  is  it  advisable  to 
put  birds  in  the  breeding  pen  that  score  less  than  90  points  ? 

ANSWER — No,  unless  some  of  the  defects  are  the  result  of  ac- 
cidents or  are  such  that  may  be  overcome. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  remove  white  from  the  ear 
lobes  of  Plymouth  Rocks? 

ANSWER — No,  except  by  burning  with  acids,  in  which  case  the 
lobes  are  scarred  and  badly  disfigured. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  disqualifying  weights  of  Langshans  ? 

ANSWER — Cocks  not  weighing  nine  pounds,  hens  not  weighing 
six  pounds,  cockerels  not  weighing  seven  pounds  and  pullets  not 
weighing  five  pounds. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  color  disqualifications  of  Black  Lang- 
shans ? 

ANSWER — Yellow  skin  or  bottom  of  the  feet  yellow  in  any  part. 
One-half  inch  of  white  in  any  part  of  the  plumage  except  the  foot 
and  toe  feathering. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  disqualifying  weights  of  Buff 
Cochins  ? 

ANSWER — Cocks  not  weighing  nine  pounds,  hens  not  weighing 
seven  pounds,  cockerels  not  weighing  seven  pounds  and  pullets  not 
weighing  five  pounds. 


QUESTION — How  much  do  judges  cut  for  extra  points  or  lack 
of  points  on  the  comb? 

ANSWER — One-half  point  each. 


QUESTION — If  a  fowl  has  lost  an  eye  what  will  the  defect  be 
cut  in  the  show  room  ? 
ANSWER — One  point, 


12  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Can  side  sprigs  be  removed  from  combs  without 
leaving  a  scar? 

ANSWER — No;  the  texture  of  the  comb  will  be  smooth  and  if 
the  sprig  is  removed  while  the  bird  is  quite  young  it  will  grow  out 
again  to  some  extent. 


QUESTION — How  long  before  a  bird  is  to  be  exhibited  can  a 
sickle  or  other  large  feather  be  pulled  and  have  the  new  one  grow  in? 
ANSWER — From  four  to  six  weeks. 


QUESTION — Is  scaly  leg  hereditary? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — What  do  judges  cut  for  side  sprigs  on  comb? 
ANSWER — One  point  each. 

QUESTION — Does  confinement  in  a  warm  show  room  cause  the 
combs  of  fowls  to  grow  larger  and  lop  over  ? 
ANSWER — Yes,  sometimes. 


QUESTION — What  are  some  of  the  principal  shows  in  the  dif- 
ferent sections  of  the  country  where  an  exhibitor  meets  the  strong- 
est competition  and  receives  the  highest  honors  if  he  wins? 

ANSWER — Lewiston,  Me. ;  Boston,  Mass. ;  Hartford,  Conn. ; 
New  York  City,  N.  Y. ;  Trenton,  N.  J. ;  Hagerstown,  Md. ;  Pitts- 
burg,  Pa.;  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Louisville,  Ky. ;  Dallas,  Texas;  In- 
dianapolis, Ind. ;  Chicago,  111. ;  Detroit,  Mich. ;  Milwaukee,  Wis. ; 
Minneapolis,  Minn. ;  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa ;  Topeka, 
Kas. ;  Lincoln,  Neb. ;  Denver,  Colo. ;  Mitchell,  So.  Dak. ;  Oakland, 
Cal. ;  Spokane,  Wash. ;  Salem,  Ore. ;  Toronto,  Canada. 


QUESTION — If  eyes  are  not  alike  in  color,  how  much  are  they 
cut? 

ANSWER — One  point. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  straighten  combs  that  have 
lopped  on  account  of  confinement  in  the  show  room? 

ANSWER — Sometimes  the  comb  will  assume  its  natural  posi- 
tion in  time.  There  is  no  medicinal  remedy. 

QUESTION — What  is  used  by  exhibitors  in  the  show  room  to 
brighten  the  combs  and  wattles  of  the  birds 

ANSWER — A  mixture  of  two  parts  alcohol  and  one  part  glycer- 
ine is  frequently  rubbed  on  the  parts. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  13 

QUESTION — Does  absence   of  main   tail   feathers  disqualify  a 
bird  in  the  show  room? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Does  white  in  the  face  of  Leghorn  cockerels  and 
pullets  disqualify 

ANSWER — Yes,  except  in  Buff  Leghorns. 


QUESTION — How  much  lopped  must  a  comb  be  to  disqualify  a 
bird? 

ANSWER — It  must  fall  over  from  an  upright  position  to  such 
an  extent  that  some  portion  of  the  top  is  on  or  below  the  level  of  a 
horizontal  line  extending  from  the  top  of  the  head  at  the  base  of  the 
comb. 


QUESTION — If  the  wings  of  a  bird  are  clipped,  how  would  it 
be  discounted  in  the  show  room  ? 

ANSWER — If  one  wing  is  clipped  the  cut  would  be  two  points 
and  if  both  wings  were  clipped  the  bird  would  be  disqualified. 


QUESTION — What  do  judges  charge  for  visiting  breeders'  yards 
and  scoring  fowls? 

ANSWER — Prices  differ.  Some  judges  will  do  it  cheaper  than 
others.  Write  to  one  near  you. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  objects  of  the  so-called  specialty  clubs 
devoted  to  various  breeds? 

ANSWER — They  are  organized  to  make  the  breed  they  represent 
more  popular  and  encourage  large  exhibits  at  the  poultry  shows. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  highest  score  a  chicken  can  receive  by 
a  competent  judge? 

ANSWER — We  have  known  them  to  reach  97  points  in  a  few 
isolated  cases. 


QUESTION — What  is  considered  a  high  score? 

ANSWER — Barred  Rocks  and  some  other  parti-colored  varieties 
seldom  go  above  93^.  A  good  white  bird  may  reach  95.  The  birds 
that  can  honestly  reach  these  scores  are  very  scarce.  There  is  a  ten- 
dency among  judges  to  score  birds  too  high. 


QUESTION — Is  purple  barring  a  serious  defect  in  black  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — It  should  be  cut  from  one-half  to  two  points  in  each 
section  where  it  is  found. 


14  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  the  score  card  system  of  judging? 

ANSWER — The  Standard  of  Perfection  fixes  a  scale  of  100  points 
for  a  perfect  bird.  Each  section  of  the  bird  is  allotted  a  specified 
number  of  points,  as  for  instance  comb  10  points,  back  10  points, 
etc.,  the  total  of  all  sections  being  100  points.  (The  number  allotted 
to  any  given  section  is  not  the  same  in  all  breeds,  but  the  total  is 
100.)  The  judge  has  a  card  called  the  score  card,  upon  which  is 
printed  the  name  of  each  section  of  the  bird  and  a  column  of  spaces 
for  registering  the  amount  of  the  defects.  The  bird  to  be  scored  is 
critically  examined  in  all  sections  and  the  value  of  each  section  is 
determined  by  deducting  from  the  number  of  points  allotted  to  it, 
the  number  which  represents  the  degree  of  defect  found.  For  in- 
stance, if  10  points  are  allotted  to  comb  and  the  comb  of  the  bird 
being  scored  possesses  three-fourths  the  features  of  a  perfect  comb, 
the  remaining  one-fourth,  which  represents  the  defects,  is  deducted 
from  the  full  value  of  10  points,  which  is  2^2  points,  and  this  amount 
is  registered  in  the  proper  place  on  the  card.  These  discounts  are 
termed  cuts  and  after  all  cuts  in  the  various  sections  are  registered, 
the  total  is  deducted  from  100,  which  is  the  score  of  a  perfect  bird, 
and  the  amount  remaining  is  the  score  of  the  bird  being  considered. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  rules  under  which  poultry  associa- 
tions accept  birds  for  exhibition? 

ANSWER — They  are  numerous  and  differ  greatly  with  individ- 
ual associations.  Intending  exhibitors  should  write  to  the  secretary 
of  the  association  at  which  he  wishes  to  exhibit  and  ask  for  a  pre- 
mium list,  which  will  be  mailed  free  of  charge. 


QUESTION — What  would  be  the  score  of  a  pen  of  birds  in  the 
show  room  if  each  bird  in  the  pen  was  perfect  ? 
ANSWER — 200  points. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  comparison  system  of  judging  fowls? 

ANSWER — It  is  that  method  by  which  the  merit  of  the  birds  is 
determined,  with  the  merits  of  others  in  the  same  class  as  a  basis  of 
value.  The  usual  manner  of  procedure  is  to  casually  examine  all  the 
birds  in  a  class  and  note  those  that  are  clearly  of  a  higher  quality 
than  the  remainder.  These  best  birds  are  then  examined  critically 
and  the  one  that  is  better  than  all  the  others  is  awarded  first  prize. 
The  next  best  is  awarded  second,  and  this  rule  is  followed  as  far  as 
it  is  desired  to  award  prizes. 


QUESTION — Can  parti-colored  fowls  be  improved  for  exhibition 
by  washing  them  in  the  same  manner  as  is  practiced  with  white  ones  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION  —  The  Leghorns  have  no  Standard  weight.  How  are 
they  cut  in  the  show  room  for  being  too  small  ? 

ANSWER  —  The  Standard  provides  a  section  denoted  "size," 
which  is  valued  at  10  points,  and  the  judge  cuts  them  for  size. 


QUESTION — Will  birds  with  crooked  toes  transmit  the  defect 
to  their  offspring? 

ANSWER — If  the  defect  is  caused  by  an  injury,  no.  Sometimes 
this  defect  is  a  natural  one,  in  which  case  a  portion  of  the  progeny 
will  show  it. 


QUESTION — Does  punching  the  web  of  the  foot  of  a  fowl  count 
against  it  in  the  show  room  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Will  continued  confinement  on  bare  runs  have  a 
tendency  to  bleach  the  legs  of  yellow-legged  fowls? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Would  a  fancier  do  best  with  a  popular  breed  or 
are  there  too  many  people  breeding  -the  favorites  for  one  to  do  a 
good  business  with  them  ? 

ANSWER — There  is  plenty  of  room  for  all  varieties.  The  begin- 
ner would  do  best  to  start  with  a  popular  breed. 


QUESTION — When  is  the  best  time  in  the  year  to  buy  young 
stock  for  exhibition? 

ANSWER — Breeders  sell  cheaper  from  September  to  November. 


QUESTION — What  are  "thumb  marks"  on  combs  ? 
ANSWER — A  disfiguring   depression  sometimes   found  on  the 
side  of  a  comb  near  the  front. 


QUESTION — What  do  judges  cut  for  thumb  marks  in  combs? 
ANSWER — From  one  to  two  points. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  cut  when  the  rear  of  a  single  comb 
turns  around  ? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  point. 


QUESTION — What  should  a  fowl  be  discounted  for  brassiness  in 
plumage  ? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section. 


16 393  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Is  slate  under  color  in  Buff  varieties  objectionable? 
ANSWER — Yes.    The  cut  is  one-half  to  one  point. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  cut  for  absence  of  spike  in  rose  comb 
varieties  ? 

ANSWER — This  defect  is  a  disqualification. 


QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  the  term  Symmetry  ? 

ANSWER — Perfection  of  proportion,  the  harmony  of  all  the 
parts  or  sections  of  a  fowl,  viewed  as  a  whole  with  regard  to  the 
Standard  type  of  the^variety  it  represents. 


QUESTION — What  is  "frosting"? 

ANSWER — A  marginal  edging  or  tracing  of  color  on  feathers 
of  laced,  spangled  and  pencilled  varieties. 


QUESTION — WThen  is  the  plumage  of  a  fowl  said  to  be  "mossy"  ? 
ANSWER — When  irregular  dark  pencilling  appears  in  the  centers 
of  laced  feathers,  destroying  the  desirable  contrast  of  color. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  wattles? 

ANSWER — The  red  pendant  growths  at  the  sides  of  and  base  of 
beak. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  shaft  of  the  feather? 
ANSWER — The  stem  or  quill  portion. 


QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  the  term  "condition"  in  the  show 
room? 

ANSWER — The  state  of  a  fowl  as  regards  health,  cleanliness  and 
order  of  plumage. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  crest? 

ANSWER — A  crown  or  tuft  of  feathers  on  the  top  of  the  head 
of  a  fowl  sometimes  improperly  called  topknot. 


QUESTION — What  portion  of  the  fowl  is  the  cushion? 

ANSWER — The  mass  of  feathers  over  the  rear-back  of  a  fowl 
partly  covering  the  tail.  It  is  particularly  noticeable  in  Cochin  fe- 
males. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  ear  lobes? 

ANSWER — The  folds  of  bare  skin  just  below  the  ears,  sometimes 
Called  "deaf-ears."    They  vary  in  color  and  size  in  different  breeds. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  17 

QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  "faking"  in  the  show  room? 

ANSWER — Removing  or  attempting  to  remove  off-color  in  the 
face  or  ear-lobes;  removing  one  or  more  side  sprigs  or  trimming 
combs  in  any  manner  except  the  dubbing  of  games ;  artificial  color- 
ing of  any  feather ;  splicing  feathers ;  plugging  up  holes  in  smooth- 
leg  varieties  where  stubs  or  feathers  have  been  removed;  removing 
stubs  or  feathers  from  smooth-leg  varieties;  staining  the  legs,  and, 
in  fact,  any  attempt  to  deceive  the  judge  and  thereby  obtain  an  unfair 
advantage  in  competition. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  flight  feathers? 
ANSWER — The  primary  feathers  of  the  wing  used  in  flying,  but 
folded  up  out  of  sight  or  nearly  so  when  the  fowl  is  at  rest. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  fluff? 

ANSWER — The  soft  feathers  about  the  thighs  and  posterior  part 
of  the  fowl ;  also  the  soft  downy  under  portion  of  a  feather. 


QUESTION — What  part  of  the  comb  is  the  blade? 

ANSWER — The  rear  part  of  a  single  comb,  back  of  the  last  well- 
defined  conical  point  and  usually  extending  beyond  the  crown  of  the 
head. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  cape? 

ANSWER — The  first  short  feathers  on  the  back,  underneath  the 
hackle,  shaped  like  a  cape. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  good  tonic  to  feed  the  fowls  on  exhibition 
in  order  to  keep  up  their  appetite  and  counteract  the  evil  effects  of 
continued  confinement? 

ANSWER — One  ounce  each  of  carbonate  of  iron,  pulverized  gen- 
tian root,  black  antimony,  mandrake,  ginger,  flour  of  sulphur  and 
powdered  charcoal,  four  ounces  of  bicarbonate  of  soda.  Mix  thor- 
oughly and  place  one  teaspoonfnl  in  each  quart  of  soft  food.  This  is 
an  excellent  condition  pcwder  and  superior  to  those  advertised  under 
various  names. 


QUESTION — Can  fancy  eggs  for  hatching  be  packed  in  any 
way  that  will  secure  safe  transportation  by  mail? 

ANSWER — They  might  reach  their  destination  unbroken,  but 
they  would  be  handled  too  roughly  en  route  to  insure  a  good  hatch. 


QUESTION — What  amount  of  space  do  poultry  journals  call  an 
inch? 

ANSWER — A  space  one  inch  deep  across  one  column. 


18  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — When  a  judge  visits  a  breeder's  yards  and  scores 
his  fowls,  are  the  score  cards  given  as  great  consideration  by  the 
public  as  are  those  obtained  in  competition  in  the  show  room  ? 

ANSWER — The  cards  in  most  cases  are  just  as  accurate  as  show 
room  cards,  but  the  practice  of  private  scoring  has  been  more  or  less 
abused  and  breeders  do  not  have  the  confidence  in  score  cards  given 
in  private  that  they  do  in  those  given  in  the  show  room. 


QUESTION — What  are  some  of  the  first  points  of  excellence  a 
breeder  should  consider  when  mating  his  breeding  birds? 

ANSWER — First  of  all,  they  should  be  healthy,  vigorous  and  of 
fair  size.  Pay  particular  attention  to  shape  of  back,  tail  and  breast, 
and  color  of  wings  and  tail. 


QUESTION — Are  the  best  birds  in  the  show  room  always  the 
best  for  breeders  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Why  is  not  a  high  scoring  prize  winning  bird  as 
good  for  a  breeder  as  its  condition  indicates? 

ANSWER — It  may  be  a  chance  good  specimen  from  poor  parents, 
in  which  case  it  could  not  be  depended  upon  to  reproduce  its  equal. 


QUESTION — How  is  butter-color  used  in  coloring  the  legs  of 
fowls  for  exhibition? 

ANSWER — Place  three  drops  of  the  butter-color  in  a  teaspoonful 
of  sweet  oil  and  apply  it  to  the  legs  with  a  flannel  cloth. 


QUESTION — What  does  it  cost  to  join  the  American  Poultry 
Association  ? 

ANSWER — The  payment  of  a  fee  of  ten  dollars  makes  one  a 
member  for  life  without  the  payment  of  any  further  sum  at  any 
time.  This  is  termed  the  life  membership  plan.  One  may  also  be- 
come a  member  upon  the  annual  membership  plan,  which  provides 
that  the  applicant  pay  a  membership  fee  of  two  dollars  when  making 
the  application  and  one  dollar  annual  dues  each  year  thereafter.  For 
full  information  write  to  T.  E.  Orr,  Secy.-Treas.,  Beaver,  Pa. 


QUESTION — What  does  it  cost  to  advertise  in  the  poultry  jour- 
nals? 

ANSWER — The  price  of  advertising  space  is  based  upon  the 
amount  of  circulation  and  this  varies  greatly.  In  some  poultry  jour- 
nals space  can  be  bought  for  75  cents  per  inch  for  each  insertion  and 
others  charge  as  high  at  $3.50  per  inch. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  19 

QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  Light  Brahmas? 

ANSWER — New  England  Light  Brahma  Club,  G.  W.  Cromack, 
Secretary,  Stoneham,  Mass. ;  American  Light  Brahma  Club,  John 
Rumbold,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Baltimore,  Md. ;  Western  Light 
Brahma  Club,  W.  S.  Gregory,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Keota,  la. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Houdans? 
ANSWER — American  Hcudan  Club,  Thos.  F.  Rigg,  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  Iowa  Falls,  la. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Indian  Games  ? 
ANSWER — American  Indian  Game  Club,  C.  F.  Whiting,  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer, Darien,  N.  Y. 

QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  Orpingtons  ? 

ANSWER — American  Orpington  Club,  W.  P.  Willett,  Secretary, 
East  Orange,  N.  J. ;  Union  Orpington  Club,  Mrs.  W.  N.  Marshall, 
Secretary,  Lisbon,  Mo. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Blue  Andalusians? 
ANSWER — Blue  Andalusian  Club  of  America,  Robt.  W.  Lovett, 
Secretary,  234  Maryborough  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 


QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  Exhibition  Games  and 
Game  Bantams? 

ANSWER — National  Exhibition  Game  and  Game  Bantam  Club, 
E.  J.  W.  Dietz,  Secretary,  Downer's  Grove,  111. ;  American  Exhibi- 
tion Game  and  Game  Bantam  Club,  Chas.  T.  Cornman,  Secretary, 
Carlisle,  Pa. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Polish? 
ANSWER — American  Polish  Club,  M.  V.  Caldwell,  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  Leetonta,  O. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Dorkings? 
ANSWER — American  Dorking  Club,  Watson  Westfall,   Secre- 
tary, Sayre,  Pa. 

QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  Bantams? 

ANSWER — American  Bantam  Club,  Dr.  Wm.  Y.  Fox,  Secretary, 
Taunton,  Mass. ;  National  Bantam  Association,  Chas.  Jehl,  Secre- 
tary, Elberton,  N.  J. ;  International  Bantam  Breeders'  Association, 
E.  J.  W.  Dietz,  Secretary,  Downer's  Grove,  111. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  White  Holland  Turkeys? 
ANSWER— National  White  Holland  Turkey  Club,  W.  D.  Stry- 
ker,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Plainfield,  111. 


20  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Waterfowl? 
ANSWER — Waterfowl  Club  of  America,  Theo.  F.  Jager,  Secre- 
tary, Lebanon,  Pa 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Hamburgs? 
ANSWER — Hamburg  Fanciers'  Club,  E.  P.  Saltenstall,  Secretary, 
Chestnut  Hill,  Mass. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Toulouse  Geese  ? 
ANSWER — National  Toulouse  Goose  Club,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Hislop, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Milford,  111. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  White  Minorcas  ? 
ANSWER — American  White  Minorca  Club,  Wm.  Sapper,  Sec- 
retary-Treasurer, Erie,  Pa. 

QUESTION— What  club  is  devoted  to  Dark  Brahmas? 
ANSWER — American  Dark  Brahma  Club,  Clark  E.  Adams,  Sec- 
retary, Racine,  Wis. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Cochins? 
ANSWER — American  Cochin  Club,  Arthur  R.  Sharp,  Secretary, 
Taunton,  Mass. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Langshans  ? 
ANSWER — American  Langshan  Club,  A.  S.  Asche,  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  Princeton,  111. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Leghorns  ? 
ANSWER — American  Leghorn  Club,  Geo.  H.   Burgott,   Secre- 
tary, Lawton's,  N.  Y. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  S.  C.  Brown  Leghorns  ? 
ANSWER — American  S.  C.  Brown  Leghorn  Club,  H.  L.  Nelson, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  39  Potomac  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  R.  C.  Brown  Leghorns  ? 
ANSWER — American  Rose  Comb  Brown  Leghorn  Club,  C.  R. 
Milhous,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Buff  Leghorns  ? 
ANSWER — American  Buff  Leghorn  Club,  Geo.  S.  Barnes,  Sec- 
retary, Battle  Creek,  Mich. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  R.  C.  White  Leghorns? 
ANSWER — American  Rose  Comb  White  Leghorn   Club,  Mrs. 
Jennie  E.  Warren,  Secretary,  Cottonwood  Falls,  Kan. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 21 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  White  Plymouth  Rocks  ? 
ANSWER — American  White  Plymouth  Rock  Club,  J.  F.  Crangle, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Simsbury,  Conn. 

QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Buff  Plymouth  Rocks  ? 
ANSWER— The  American   Buff  Plymouth  Rock  Club,  W.  C. 
Denny,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  all  varieties  of  Wyan- 
dottes  ? 

ANSWER — National  Wyandotte  Club,  C.  S.  Mattison,  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  South  Shaftsbury,  Vt. ;  Western  Wyandotte  Club,  Joe  C. 
Russell,  Secretary,  Breckinridge,  Mo. 


QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  White  Wyandottes? 

ANSWER — American  Wrhite  Wyandotte  Club,  M.  F.  Delano, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Millville,  N.  J. ;  National  White  Wyandotte 
Club,  George  G.  Brown,  Secretary,Treasurer,  Cleveland,  O. ;  New 
England  White  Wyandotte  Club,  H.  P.  J.  Earnshaw,  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  1 10  Pemberton  Bldg.,  Boston,  Mass. ;  Eastern  White 
Wyandotte  Club,  C.  A.  Briggs,  Secretary,  Taunton,  Mass. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Buff  Wyandottes  ? 
ANSWER — American   Buff  Wyandotte   Club,   W.  R.   Wooden, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Battle  Creek,  Mich. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Partridge  Wyandottes? 
ANSWER — Partridge    Wyandotte     Club    of    America,     Theo. 
Haight,  Jr.,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Astoria,  L.  I.,  N.  Y. 


QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  Golden  Wyandottes? 

ANSWER — National  Golden  Wyandotte  Club,  Ira  C.  Keller, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Prospect,  Ohio ;  American  Golden  Wyandotte 
Club,  A.  L.  Ringo,  Secretary,  333  Rookery  Bldg.,  Chicago. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Silver  Wyandottes  ? 
ANSWER — Silver  Wyandotte  Club  of  America,  Waldo  H1.  Dunn, 
Secretary,  Monroe,  Ohio. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  S.  C.  Black  Minorcas  ? 
ANSWER — American  Black  Minorca  Club,  John  J.  Yelton,  S"ec- 
retarv-Treasurer,  East  Orange,  N.  J. 


QUESTION — What  club  is  devoted  to  Rose  Comb  Black  Minor- 
cas? 

ANSWER — The  American  Rose  Comb  Black,  Minorca  Club,  S. 
T.  Campbell,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Mansfield,  Ohio. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  specialty  clubs  are  there  for  breeders  of 
Barred  Rocks  and  who  are  the  secretaries? 

ANSWER — The  American  Plymouth  Rock  Club,  H.  P.  Schwab, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  New  England  Plymouth 
Rock  Club,  W.  B.  Atherton,  Secretary,  Randolph,  Mass. 


QUESTION — What  clubs  are  devoted  to  Bronze  Turkeys  ? 

ANSWER — National  Bronze  Turkey  Club,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Hislop, 
Secretary-Treasurer,  Milford,  111.;  Western  Turkey  Club,  Mrs.  F. 
A.  Hargrave,  Secretary-Treasurer,  Richmond,  Kas. 


QUESTION — Why  do  poultry  journals  want  subscribers  to  say, 
when  answering  advertisements,  that  the  ad  was  seen  in  the  journal? 

ANSWER — Advertisers  will  not  patronize  a  paper  if  it  does  not 
bring  them  good  returns,  and  the  papers,  therefore,  want  the  adver- 
tiser to  know  how  much  business  they  bring  him.  A  buyer  confers  a 
favor  upon  the  advertiser  also,  when  he  tells  where  he  saw  the  ad. 


QUESTION — If  one  is  defrauded,  or  not  treated  fairly  in  pur- 
chasing stock  or  eggs,  is  there  any  way  to  have  the  matter  adjusted? 

ANSWER — If  the  seller  is  an  advertiser,  any  of  the  poultry 
journals  in  which  he  advertises  will  investigate  the  matter  if  there 
is  evidence  of  downright  fraud.  Most  Specialty  Clubs  are  also 
willing  to  take  up  complaints  against  members  made  by  other  mem- 
bers. 


QUESTION — Would  you  advise  poultrymen  who  are  breeding  for 
the  fancy,  to  join  a  specialty  club  devoted  to  their  breed  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — In  yellow  legged  fowls,  is  there  a  tendency  toward 
the  color  fading  with  age? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  mode  of  procedure  in  forming  a  poul- 
try association? 

ANSWER — Write  to  Frank  Heck,  325  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago, 
111.,  for  a  free  copy  of  a  booklet  containing  a  model  constitution  and 
by-laws,  also  complete  rules  and  regulations  for  the  forming  of  an 
association  and  the  government  of  an  up-to-date  poultry  show. 


QUESTION — When  speaking  of  fine  fowls,  which  is  proper,  thor- 
oughbred, pure  bred  or  Standard  bred? 

ANSWER — The  birds  are  bred  to  conform  to  the  requirements  of 
the  American  Standard  of  Perfection,  and  they  are,  therefore,  prop- 
erly termed  Standard  bred. 


990  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  23 

QUESTION — What  is  the  difference  in  shape  between  Plymouth 
Rocks  and  Wyandottes  ? 

ANSWER — The  Plymouth  Rock  is  larger  in  all  sections,  includ- 
ing neck  and  legs.  The  Wyandotte  is  very  round  and  short  and 
blocky. 


QUESTION — How  much  weight  can  be  put  on  a  show  bird  that 
is  matured  ? 

ANSWER — From  a  pound  to  a  pound  and  a  half. 


QUESTION — How  long  before  the  show  should  one  begin  to  feed 
for  extra  weight? 

ANSWER — Four  to  six  weeks. 


QUESTION — Should  birds  being  fed  for  extra  weight  be  kept  in 
small  pens  or  coops? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  customary  for  women  to  enter  fowls  for  com- 
petition at  a  poultry  show? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  kind  of  food  should  be  given  to  show  birds 
for  adding  a  pound  or  two  of  weight  quickly? 

ANSWER — Boiled  rice,  boiled  potatoes  mixed  with  cornmeal, 
sunflower  seed,  corn,  beef  tallow,  plenty  of  hard  grit  and  sweetened 
water  to  drink. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  principal  drawback  about  taking  up 
new  breeds? 

ANSWER — They  are  always  so  hard  to  breed  true. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  highest  price  ever  paid  for  a  fowl  ? 
ANSWER — The  highest  on  record  is  $300  for  a  Buff  Rock  male 
that  won  first  at  Boston  in  January,  1903. 


QUESTION — Why  are  poultry  shows  always  held  in  the  winter? 

ANSWER — Because  it  is  the  time  when  all  fowls  are  in  the  best 
condition  to  show,  and  especially  as  regards  completeness  and  beauty 
of  plumage. 


QUESTION — Why  is  it  that  all  poultrymen  do  not  get  equally 
good  prices  for  fancy  stock? 

ANSWER — Some  of  them  do  not  advertise  properly. 


24  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Why  do  Barred  Rocks  sell  for  so  much  higher 
prices  than  some  other  birds? 

ANSWER — Because  it  is  so  hard  to  breed  good  Barred  Rocks. 


QUESTION — Can  rose  combs  be  too  large? 
ANSWER — Yes.    They  should  be  medium  size. 


QUESTION — Do  good  rose  combs  have  a  small  hollow  place  in 
the  front  on  top? 

ANSWER — No.    This  is  a  very  common  defect. 

QUESTION — What  would  be  the  cut  in  the  show  room  for  a  hol- 
low place  in  the  front  of  a  rose  comb? 
ANSWER — One-half  to  two  points. 

QUESTION — Are  judges  supposed  to  answer  questions  in  the 
show  room? 

ANSWER — Only  as  a  matter  of  courtesy  if  the  questions  are 
asked  by  visitors.  Questions  asked  by  exhibitors  are  supposed  to  be 
answered  fully  if  they  pertain  to  the  judges'  awards,  but  a  judge 
is  not  compelled  to  answer  a  lot  of  miscellaneous  questions  upon 
poultry  in  general.  Judges  as  a  rule  are  very  pleasant  and  accom- 
modating and  will  cheerfully  do  many  things  they  are  not  required 
to  do. 


QUESTION — Are  Barred  Rock  males  inclined  to  grow  lighter  in 
color  with  each  succeeding  moult? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — In  advertising  exhibition  stock  and  eggs,  is  it  bet- 
ter to  use  a  small  space  in,  say,  a  half  dozen  journals,  or  use  the  com- 
bined amount  in  one  journal  of  equal  circulation  of  the  six? 

ANSWER — In  most  cases  it  will  pay  better  to  have  a  large  card 
in  the  larger  journal. 


QUESTION — How  can  a  fowl  be  made  to  stand  erect  and  show 
to  best  advantage  in  the  exhibition  coops  at  shows? 

ANSWER — They  should  be  trained  for  some  weeks  before  the 
show  by  placing  them  in  small  coops  similar  to  the  exhibition  coops. 
Feed  them  in  these  coops  and  hold  the  food  high  so  that  they  will 
be  compelled  to  reach  for  it. 


QUESTION — Is  the  new  advertiser  at  a  disadvantage  as  com- 
pared with  the  old  one,  and  if  so,  why  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  An  advertiser  must  establish  a  reputation,  and 
it  takes  time  to  do  it. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — If  the  quills  of  the  feathers  on  chicks  of  the  white 
breeds  are  yellow,  will  they  get  white  when  the  chicks  mature  f 
ANSWER — Sometimes  they  will,  but  not  always. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  advantage  in  practicing  double  mating 
with  the  white  varieties  of  fowls? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  most  important  point  in  selecting 
breeding  birds,  shape  or  color? 

ANSWER — Shape.  If  you  have  not  the  shape,  you  have  not  the 
breed. 


QUESTION — Can  any  kind  of  stain  be  used  on  the  legs  of  yellow- 
legged  fowls  to  intensify  the  color? 

ANSWER — Light  applications  of  iodine  will  have  the  desired 
effect. 


QUESTION — Is  there  anything  that  will  add  luster  to  the 
plumage  of  dark  colored  fowls  when  preparing  them  for  exhibition  ? 

ANSWER — Some  very  successful  ^breeders  and  exhibitors  have 
claimed  that  they  can  produce  this  effect  by  placing  in  the  mash 
three  times  a  week  a  teaspoonful  of  red  carbonate  of  iron  for  each 
twelve  fowls. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  best  grain  for  fowls  confined  in  the 
show  room? 

ANSWER — Wheat. 


/  QUESTION — Is  it  wrong  to  remove  off  colored  feathers  from  a 
fowl  when  preparing  it  for  exhibition  if  the  feathers  would  dis- 
qualify the  bird? 

ANSWER — We  believe  that  it  is.  It  is  taking  an  unfair  advan- 
tage of  a  competitor  whose  birds  show  a  natural  absence  of  such 
feathers.  There  are  some  honorable  breeders,  however,  who  advo- 
cate removing  these  feathers  to  a  reasonable  limit. 

QUESTION — How  can  the  legs  of  fowls  be  highly  polished  for 
show  purposes? 

ANSWER — Use  alcohol  into  which  a  little  paraffin  wax  has  been 
dissolved. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  legs  of  fowls  be  cleaned  to  best  ad- 
vantage without  the  use  of  drugs  or  chemicals  ? 

ANSWER — Wash  them  thoroughly  with  soap  and  warm  water. 
Remove  the  dirt  from  beneath  the  scales  with  a  wooden  toothpick 
and  rub  long  and  briskly  with  a  piece  of  chamois  skin, 


26  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Is  it  not  possible  to  get  as  good  eggs  from  some 
breeders  for  $3  per  setting  as  can  be  gotten  from  others  for  $5  ? 
ANSWER — Yes,  but  not  as  a  general  rule. 


QUESTION — How  do  fanciers  wash  the  plumage  of  fowls  in- 
tended for  exhibition? 

ANSWER — Have  three  tubs  of  water,  one  quite  warm,  another 
lukewarm  and  another  with  the  chill  taken  off  it.  Place  the  bird  in 
the  tub  of  warm  wlater  and  have  an  assistant  to  hold  it  on  its  sides. 
Open  the  fluff  and  other  parts  of  the  plumage  consisting  of  short, 
soft  feathers,  and  gently  work  the  water  into  the  plumage  thor- 
oughly. Press  the  long,  stiff  feathers  in  wings  and  tail  between  the 
hands  under  the  water  until  they  are  well  soaked  through.  After 
the  entire  plumage  is  well  soaked,  apply  Ivory  soap  or  other  good 
white  soap  and  rub  it  well  into  the  feathers,  rubbing  only  one  way, 
and  that  the  way  the  web  of  the  feather  runs.  The  soft  feathers  can 
be  handled  more  carelessly  without  injury.  The  plumage  will  stand 
much  more  rubbing  than  one  would  imagine.  After  the  fowl  has 
been  well  washed  in  the  first  tub,  remove  it  and  rinse  well  in  the  sec- 
ond tub  of  lukewarm  water,  pressing  as  much  of  the  soapy  water  out 
of  the  feathers  as  possible.  If  the  soap  is  not  thoroughly  removed  the 
feathers  will  split  and  cling  together  when  dry.  After  the  soap  has 
been  rinsed  out  into  the  second  tub  of  water,  immerse  the  fowl  in  the 
third  tub,  in  which  there  should  be  dissolved  beforehand  a  small 
quantity  of  wash  blue  sufficient  to  blue  the  water  as  required  for 
clothes.  After  working  the  blue  water  well  into  the  plumage,  hold 
the  fowls  above  the  tub  and  press  as  much  water  as  possible  out  of 
the  feathers,  then  allow  it  to  stand  on  a  clean  table  or  other  conven- 
ient place  and  dry  with  a  towel,  rubbing  the  right  way  of  the  feath- 
ers. The  bird  should  then  be  placed  in  a  coop  deeply  littered  with 
clean  straw  and  placed  in  front  of  a  fire,  but  not  so  close  as  to  blister 
the  comb  or  plumage.  After  the  feathers  are  fairly  dry  on  the  out- 
side and  commence  to  assume  their  natural  position,  remove  the  bird 
from  in  front  of  the  fire  and  confine  it  in  a  clean  coop,  where  it  can 
plume  itself  and  properly  arrange  the  feathers  as  they  dry.  The 
operation  is  comparatively  easy  and  one  becomes  very  skillful  after 
a  few  attempts. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  irregular,  indistinct, 
crescentic  or  too  heavy  lacing  in  all  laced  varieties  ? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  crooked  keel  or  breast- 
bone? 

ANSWER— One-half  to  two  points, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  27 

QUESTION — Are  the  advantages  to  be  gained  by  washing  fowls 
worth  the  trouble  required  to  do  the  work? 

ANSWER — Yes,  if  the  fowls  are  of  the  white  varieties  and  have 
been  kept  on  a  town  lot. 

QUESTION — Are  dark  colored  fowls. any  better  for  the  city  fan- 
cier than  the  white  varieties  ? 

ANSWER — No,  except  that  fowls  kept  on  city  lots  usually  get 
very  dirty  and  a  dark  colored  fowl  does  not  show  the  dirt  as  much 
as  a  white  one. 


QUESTION — Will  washing,  if  properly  done,  add  to  the  appear- 
ance of  any  fowl? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Does  the  specialty  breeder,  as  a  rule,  get  better 
prices  for  his  stock  and  eggs  than  does  the  breeder  of  several  vari- 
eties? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  the  color  of  wings  and  tail  of  any  special  impor- 
tance more  than  other  sections? 

ANSWER — Yes.  The  deepest  color  is  found  in  these  sections, 
and  they  should  receive  the  greatest  consideration  when  selecting 
the  breeding  birds. 

QUESTION — Why  does  the  specialty  breeder  gain  greater  suc- 
cess, usually,  than  the  breeder  of  many  varieties  ? 

ANSWER — He  devotes  all  his  time  and  talent  to  the  one  variety, 
and  he  breeds  better  stock. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  and  cheapest  way  for  one  to  learn 
just  how  good  his  stock  is? 

ANSWER — Buy  a  copy  of  the  Standard  of  Perfection,  and  com- 
pare the  fowls  with  the  description  in  the  book.  Send  them  to  some 
near-by  poultry  show  and  enter  them  for  competition. 


QUESTION — Are  exceedingly  large  combs  desirable  on  Leg- 
horns? 

ANSWER — No.  There  is  a  tendency  toward  too  large  combs  on 
this  breed.  The  Standard  calls  for  a  medium-sized  comb. 


QUESTION — Should  the  back  of  a  Leghorn  comb  follow  the 
shape  of  the  neck,  or  extend  out  straight? 

ANSWER — It  should  have  no  tendency  to  follow  the  shape  of 
the  neck. 


28 999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  a  specialty  breeder? 

ANSWER — The  term  is  applied  to  a  breeder  who  handles  only 
one  variety  of  fowls. 

QUESTION — Should  the  shanks  of  Brown  Leghorns  be  yellow? 
ANSWER — The  shanks  should  be  bright  yellow,  but  the  Stand- 
ard allows  dusky  yellow  for  toes. 

QUESTION — Should  all  varieties  of  Leghorns  be  the  same  size 
and  shape? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Are   Partridge  Wyandottes  the  same  in  color  as 
Partridge  Cochins? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  risk  setting  a  pullet  on  high- 
priced  eggs? 

ANSWER — No.  They  generally  forsake  the  nest  before  the  eggs 
hatch. 


QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  latent  defects? 

ANSWER — Defects  which  do  not  appear  in  a  bird,  but  which 
have  been  inherited  from  ancestors,  and  will  manifest  themselves  in 
the  progeny. 

QUESTION — Should  the  rear  of  the  comb  and  the  spike  curve 
to  conform  to  the  shape  of  the  head,  in  Wyandottes? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  the  head  of  a  Wyandotte  shorter  and  broader 
than  that  of  a  Plymouth  Rock? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Are  well-spread  legs  on  Plymouth  Rocks  and  Wy- 
andottes more  desirable  than  those  only  fairly  spread  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — In  Standard  Barred  Rocks,  is  a  little  dark  striping 
permissible  in  the  beaks  of  females'? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  not  possible  for  a  fowl  to  show  white  in  the 
ear  lobes  temporarily? 

ANSWER — Yes.  There  is  a  difference,  however,  in  the  white 
resulting  from  sickness  or  poor  condition  and  the  enamel  white 
which,  in  some  breeds,  disqualifies. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  29 


QUESTION — What  is  the  difference  in  color  of  Silver  Wyan- 
dottes  and  Golden  Wyanclottes  ? 

ANSWER — The  lacing  is  the  same  in  form.  The  silvery  white 
centers  in  the  Silver  Wyandotte  are  a  golden  bay  in  the  Golden 
Wyandotte. 


QUESTION — Should   Black   Wyandottes   and    Black    Minorcas 
have  vellow  legs  ? 

ANSWER — No.    They  are  black  or  dark  slate. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  Pea  Comb  ? 

ANSWER — A  triple  comb,  resembling  three  straight  single  combs  / 
placed  parallel  with  one  another,  and  joined  at  base  and  rear,  each/ 
having  distinctly  divided  pea-like  knobs,  the  knobs  of  the  two  outer 
rows  being  lower  and  smaller  than  those  of  the  middle  row,  and 
those  of  each  row  being  larger  and  somewhat  thicker  midway  of 
the  comb  than  at  front  and  rear. 


QUESTION — Is  a  dark  stripe  permissible  in  the  upper  mandible 
of  the  beak  of  the  Light  Brahma  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION  —  Does  the  Standard  call  for  the  same  weights  in 
Light  and  Dark  Brahmas? 

ANSWER  —  No.  The  weights  of  Dark  Brahmas  are:  Cock,  n 
pounds  ;  hen,  8*/2  pounds  ;  cockerel,  9  pounds,  and  pullet,  7  pounds. 
Light  Brahmas  are  a  pound  heavier. 

QUESTION  —  What  are  the  Standard  weights  of  Buff  Cochins? 
ANSWER  —  Cock,    II    pounds;    hen,   Sy2    pounds;    cockerel,    9 
pounds  ;  pullet,  7  pounds. 

QUESTION—  What  are  the  Standard  weights  of  Black  and  White 
Minorcas  ? 

ANSWER  —  Cock,  8  pounds  ;  hen,  6y2  pounds  ;  cockerel,  6l/2 
pounds;  pullet,  5>^  pounds. 


QUESTION  —  How  many  points  should  the  Minorca  have  on  its 
comb? 

ANSWER  —  Six. 


QXIESTION — Is  not  an  even  shade  of  buff  in  all  sections  of  a  bird 
more  to  be  desired,  even  though  it  be  a  trifle  light,  or  dark,  than  dif- 
ferent shades  in  the  same  specimen  in  which  the  proper  shade  pre- 
dominates ? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


30  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  coarse  texture  of  wat- 
tles? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  point. 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  each  missing  feather  in 
primaries  or  secondaries  where  foreign  color  disqualifies  ? 
ANSWER — One  and  one-half  points. 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  where  a  feather  is  broken, 
but  not  detached,  in  primaries  or  secondaries,  where  foreign  color 
disqualifies  ? 

ANSWER — One-half  point. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  each  broken  or  missing 
feather,  in  primaries  or  secondaries,  of  all  buff  or  parti-colored  vari- 
eties, where  foreign  color  does  not  disqualify? 

ANSWER — One-half  point. 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  absence  of  sickles  where 
foreign  color  disqualifies? 

ANSWER — One  and  one-half  points  for  each  sickle. 

QUESTION — What  should  be   the   cut   for  absence   of  sickles, 
where  foreign  color  does  not  disqualify? 
ANSWER — One  point  for  each  sickle. 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  creaminess  of  plumage 
or  quill  of  all  white  varieties,  except  Ducks? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — Are  not  the  wing-bows  on  Buff  Rock  and  Buff 
Wyandotte  males  inclined  toward  red? 

ANSWER — Yes.  It  is  excedingly  difficult  to  get  a  buff  wing- 
bow  on  males. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  proper  shade  of  buff  as  demanded  by 
the  Standard  for  buff  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  impossible  to  describe  in  words  just  what  this 
buff  should  be.  The  Standard  calls  for  a  rich  golden  buff,  and  that 
means  a  medium  between  a  lemon  buff  and  a  light  cinnamon  buff. 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  danger  of  fowls  dying  in  the  tub  while 
being  washed? 

ANSWER — Yes.  They  should  not  be  immersed  too  suddenly. 
'Phe  shock  affects  the  heart  and  rnay  result  fatally,  especially  if  the 
bird  is  overfat 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  31 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  frosty  edging  in  any 
laced  section  of  all  laced  or  spangled  varieties  ? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  irregular  barring  in 
Barred  Rocks? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  light  colored  shafting  in 
all  buff  varieties? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — Do  gray  specks  in  a  white  fowl  come  under  the 
head  of  black,  which  disqualifies  ? 

ANSWER — No.  A  judge  should  cut  for  them  from  I  to  2  points 
in  each  section  where  found. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  mealiness  in  plumage 
of  Buff  varieties? 

ANSWER— One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  mossy  centered  feathers 
in  laced  varieties? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  two  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — What  per  cent  of  the  winter  poultry  shows  are 
judged  by  the  score  card  system? 
ANSWER — About  95  per  cent. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  irregular  or  deficient 
penciling  in  penciled  varieties? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  black  or  white  in  buff 
varieties  ? 

ANSWER — One-half  to  one  and  one-half  points  in  each  section 
where  found. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  pinched  or  gamey  tails 
in  Leghorn  females? 

ANSWER — One  to  two  points. 


32  099  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  if  the  tail  feathers  in  any 
variety  show  not  to  exceed  three- fourths  development? 
ANSWER — One  point. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  if  the  tail  feathers  in  any 
variety  show  not  to  exceed  one-half  development? 
ANSWER — Two  points. 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  if  the  tail  in  any  variety 
shows  not  to  exceed  one- fourth  development? 
ANSWER — Three  points. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  cut  for  each  crooked  toe? 
ANSWER — One-half  to  one  point. 


QUESTION — Are  poultry  judges  licensed  or  authorized  by  any 
governing  body  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  can  a  fancier  know  the  right  price  to  charge 
for  his  eggs  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — Be  governed  by  the  price  other  breeders  ask  for 
eggs  from  the  same  quality  of  stock. 


QUESTION — Does  the  Standard  demand  the  same  shade  of  color 
in  all  sections  of  a  Barred  Rock  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Are  buff  fowls  harder  to  breed  true  to  color  than 
white  ones? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  different  varieties  of  combs  found  on 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — Single,  Rose,  Pea,  Leaf,  Strawberry  and  V  comb. 


QUESTION — When  judging  by  comparison,  does  the  judge  con- 
sider all  disqualification  clauses  of  the  Standard? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  should  the  cut  be  for  twisted  feathers  in  wing 
or  tail? 

ANSWER — One  point  for  each  feather. 


QUESTION — What   causes   twisted   feathers   in   the   wings   and 
tails? 

ANSWER — It  is  a  freak  of  nature. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  33 

QUESTION — In  comparison  judging,  does  the  color  of  a  bird 
largely  influence  the  decision? 

ANSWER — Sometimes  it  does,  but  in  such  cases  the  judge  does 
not  apply  the  Standard  properly. 

QUESTION — Are  there  not  judges  who  are  incompetent  to  do  the 
work? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Why  are  incompetent  judges  permitted  to  place  the 
awards  at  shows  ? 

ANSWER — Because  they  can  find  a  few  associations  that  are 
willing  to  employ  them. 

QUESTION — Are  all   the   Standard-bred    fowls   of    to-day   the 
descendants  of  one  common  ancestor  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Who  were  the  poultrymen  appointed  to  constitute 
the  Standard  Revision  Committee  in  1903  ? 

ANSWER — F.  L.  Kimmey,  Grant  M.  Curtis,  J.  H.  Drevenstedt, 
T.  E.  Orr,  W.  S.  Russell,  F.  B.  Zimmer,  F.  D.  Kendall,  Theo. 
Hewes,  Newton  Adams,  W.  C.  Pierce,  F.  L.  Sewell,  T.  F.  McGrew, 
Chas.  McClave,  J.  F.  Crangle  and  Frank  Heck.  Messrs.  Russell, 
Zimmer,  Kendall,  Crangle  and  Adams  were  not  able  to  be  present  at 
any  of  the  sessions  of  the  committee,  and  the  work  was  done  by  the 
other  members  and  Geo.  H.  Burgott. 

QUESTION — Where  did  the  1903  Revision  Committee  meet,  and 
how  long  were  they  in  session  ? 

ANSWER — At  Buffalo,  N.  Y.    Two  weeks,  May  nth  to  24th. 

QUESTION — When  will  the  Standard  again  be  revised? 
ANSWER — Not  before  1908,  and  not  then  unless  conditions  de- 
mand it. 


QUESTION — Where  can  one  obtain  colored  pictures  of  trie  pop- 
ular varieties  of  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — Write  to  American  Poultry  Journal  Pub.  Co.,  325 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.;  Reliable  Poultry  Journal  Pub.  Co., 
Quincy,  111.;  Fanciers'  Gazette  Co.,  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  The 
Feather,  Washington,  D.  C. 


QUESTION — Does  it  injure  the  legs  of  fowls  to  allow  leg  bands 
to  remain  upon  them  constantly  ? 

ANSWER — Not  if  the  bands  are  of  the  proper  size. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION  —  Are  there  Standards  for  the  different  breeds  that 
can  be  purchased  separately? 

ANSWER  —  No.  There  is  only  one  book  and  it  covers  all  breeds 
and  varieties. 


QUESTION — How  did  the  Barred  Plymouth  Rocks  originate? 

ANSWER — By  various  crosses,  chief  of  which  was  the  Black 
Java  and  American  Dominique,  mingled  with  Dark  Brahma,  Black 
Spanish,  the  old-time  Light  Brahma  and  the  White  Birmingham. 


QUESTION — How  did  the  White  Plymouth  Rocks  originate? 

ANSWER — They  are  sports  from  the  Barred  variety.  Occa- 
sionally a  pure  white  chick  will  be  found  in  the  progeny  of  Barred 
Rocks,  but  they  are  much  scarcer  now  than  during  the  early  days 
of  the  Barred  Rock. 


QUESTION — How  much  profit  can  be  made  from  fancy  poultry 
the  first  year,  with  an  investment  of  $100? 

ANSWER — A  man  who  knows  how  to  manage  it  rightly  ought 
to  clear  $500. 

QUESTION — If  a  breeder  thoroughly  understands  mating  and 
breeding,  how  long  can  he  pursue  a  system  of  line  breeding  without 
introducing  new  blood? 

ANSWER— Ten  to  fifteen  years. 


QUESTION — How  were  the  Partridge  Wyandottes  originated? 
r       ANSWER — By  crossing  Golden  Laced  Wyandottes,  Golden  Pen- 
ciled Hamburgs  and  Partridge  Cochins. 


QUESTION — How  were  Silver  Penciled  Wyandottes  originated? 
ANSWER — By  crossing  Silver  Laced  Wyandottes,  Silver  Pen- 
ciled Hamburgs  and  Dark  Brahmas. 


QUESTION — How  was  the  Golden  Wyandotte  originated? 

ANSWER — By  crosses  of  Silver  Wyandotte  and  an  old  fowl 
called  the  Winnebago  fowl,  after  which  was  introduced  the  blood 
of  the  Partridge  Cochin,  Golden  Hamburg  and  Brown  Leghorn. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  most  convenient  manner  of  holding  a 
fowl  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  plumage,  etc.? 

ANSWER — Grasp  it  with  the  left  hand  against  the  keel  bone, 
with  right  leg  between  the  first  and  middle  fingers,  and  the  left  leg 
between  the  middle  and  third  fingers.  The  bird  will  then  rest  on 
the  forearm,  with  the  head  toward  you.  It  can  then  be  handled  with 
the  right  hand. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  35 

QUESTION — Are  prizes  won  at  fall  fairs  considered  as  valua- 
ble as  those  won  at  winter  shows,  as  regards  the  quality  of  the 
stock  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Fowls  are  not  in  very  good  condition  at  fall 
fairs,  and  competition  is  never  so  strong. 


QUESTION — How  did  the  Buff  Plymouth  Rocks  originate? 
ANSWER — They  resulted  from  crosses  of  Buff  Cochins,  Light 
Brahmas  and  Rhode  Island  Reds. 


QUESTION — How  were  the  Silver  Wyandottes  originated  ? 
ANSWER — By  crosses  of  the  Silver  Spangled  Hamburg,  Dark 
Brahma  and  Buff  Cochin. 


QUESTION — How  did  the  White  Wyandotte  originate? 
ANSWER — By  crosses  of  Silver  Wyandottes,  White  Leghorns 
and  White  Plymouth  Rocks. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  school  where  the  judging  of  poultry  is 
taught  ? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Will   constant  exposure   to  the  hot   summer   sun 
deaden  the  color  and  gloss  of  plumage? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Does  a  breeder  have  to  be  a  member  of  a  poultry 
association  to  exhibit  at  it  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  usual  time  when  fanciers  break  up 
their  breeding  pens  for  the  season? 
ANSWER — June  ist. 

QUESTION — Is  over-weight  desirable  in  Standard-bred  fowls? 
ANSWER — No.    With  much  over-weight  comes  defects  in  shape, 
reduced  egg  production  and  decreased  fertility. 


QUESTION — Is  it  customary,  when  weighing  birds  in  the  show 
room,  to  give  them  the  advantage  of  one-fourth  or  one-half  pound? 

ANSWER — It  is  sometimes  done,  but  it  is  an  injustice  to  the  ex- 
hibitors who  have  their  birds  up  to  weight,  and  the  practice  is  against 
the  rules  of  the  American  Poultry  Association. 


QUESTION — How  were  the  Buff  Wyandottes  originated? 
ANSWER — By  inter-crossing  of  White  Wyandottes,  Golden  Wy- 
andottes, Buff  Cochins  and  Rhode  Island  Reds. 


QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  one  who  makes  a  specialty  of  prepar- 
ing and  writing  circulars  and  catalogues  for  poultrymen? 

ANSWER — Write  to  Frank  Heck,  325  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago, 
111. 


QUESTION — Will  feeding  cayenne  pepper  to  buff  fowls  aid  in 
getting  a  rich,  deep  color  to  the  plumage? 

ANSWER — No.  A  species  of  cayenne  is  fed  to  canary  birds  to 
deepen  the  color,  but  the  scheme  is  not  practicable  with  fowls. 


QUESTION — In  order  to  get  the  best  color  on  exhibition  fowls,  is 
it  necessary  to  keep  them  from  the  hot  sun  during  moulting? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


990  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  37 


Eggs. 


QUESTION — How  can  eggs  for  hatching  be  safely  packed  for 
shipment  ? 

ANSWER — Use  common  splint  baskets  such  as  can  be  purchased 
from  the  grocer  at  about  35  cents  per  dozen.  Line  the  bottom  and 
sides  with  excelsior  about  an  inch  thick.  Take  a  small  quantity 
and  shape  it  about  like  a  bird's  nest  and  place  an  egg  in  it,  after 
which  close  the  opening  well  over  the  egg,  making  it  round  like  a 
ball.  Prepare  each  egg  in  this  manner,  pack  them  in  the  basket, 
place  a  thick  layer  of  excelsior  on  top,  and  cover  with  a  piece  of 
muslin,  sewing  the  edges  down  through  the  sides  of  the  basket  with 
a  heavy  darning  needle  and  twine.  There  are  other  methods,  but 
this,  one  insures  absolute  safety  if  properly  done.  Egg  boxes  and 
patent  carriers  are  less  trouble,  but  are  much  less  protection  to  the 
iggs  and  are  responsible  for  many  poor  hatches. 

QUESTION — How  long  can  eggs  be  kept  by  the  water  glass 
method  ? 

ANSWER — From  nine  to  twelve  months. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  method  of  preserving  eggs? 

ANSWER — Careful  tests  have  been  made  with  various  com- 
pounds, and  Water  Glass  has  in  each  case  proven  most  satisfactory. 
It  is  also  called  Soluble  Glass.  The  chemical  name  is  silicate  of 
sodium  or  silicate  of  potassium.  It  can  be  purchased  at  any  drug 
store,  and  costs  about  50  cents  per  gallon,  which  is  sufficient  to 
preserve  50  dozen  eggs.  To  one  quart  of  Water  Glass  add  ten  quarts 
of  water.  It  is  best  to  use  water  that  has  been  boiled  and  is  per- 
fectly clean.  The  eggs  should  be  wiped  clean,  but  should  not  be 
washed.  Earthenware  jars  are  best  for  storing  the  eggs,  which 
should  be  entirely  submerged  in  the  liquid.  If  wooden  barrels  or 
kegs  are  used,  see  that  they  are  first  thoroughly  scalded  with  boiling 
water. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  fair  price  for  eggs  from  the  highest 
grade  of  stock? 

ANSWER — Three  dollars  to  five  dollars  per  setting.  The  latter 
price  prevails  among  most  breeders  of  national  reputation. 


QUESTION — Will  eggs  with  mottled  shells  hatch? 
ANSWER — Very  seldom. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  number  of  eggs  is  considered  a  setting  when 
buying  them  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — Some  breeders  give  13  and  some  15.  Probably  a 
fair  adjustment  of  the  matter  would  be  13  if  the  price  is  less  than 
$3  per  setting,  and  15  if  the  price  is  $3  or  more  per  setting. 


QUESTION — How  long  after  the  male  bird  is  separated  from  the 
female  will  the  eggs  be  fertile? 

ANSWER — A  definite  time  cannot  be  fixed.  At  least  five  or  six 
eggs  in  the  process  of  formation,  if  the  hen  has  that  many  in  her, 
are  apt  to  be  fertilized,  and  the  time  therefore  depends  upon  how 
soon  she  lays  the  eggs. 


QUESTION — If  a  sitting  hen  befouls  her  nest  and  the  eggs  are 
covered  with  filth,  will  it  injure  them  to  wash  them,  or  will  they 
hatch  as  well  as  though  they  were  not  cleaned  ? 

ANSWER — Anything  that  fills  the  pores  of  the  shell  stops  the 
ingress  of  pure  air,  and  consequently  is  detrimental.  Eggs  may 
be  washed  lightly  with  clear,  pure  water  only.  The  water  should 
be  quite  warm  and  the  egg  washed  quickly  and  gently  and  imme- 
diately returned  to  the  nest. 

QUESTION — Why  are  eggs  not  as  fertile  in  winter  as  in  spring 
and  summier? 

ANSWER — Winter  is  not  the  natural  breeding  season  and  con- 
ditions are  not  as  favorable  for  fertile  eggs.  If  summer  conditions 
as  regards  temperature,  green  food,  etc.,  can  be  supplied,  eggs  will 
be  reasonably  fertile. 


QUESTION — How  can  fertile  eggs  be  prevented  from  hatching? 

ANSWER — Dip  them  in  boiling  water  for  a  couple  of  seconds. 
Prick  the  small  end  deeply  with  a  fine  needle.  Sometimes  shaking 
them  vigorously  a  half  dozen  times  will  answer. 


QUESTION — Does  it  injure  eggs  for  hatching  to  wash  them 
before  they  are  set? 

ANSWER — Not  if  the  water  is  lukewarm  and  the  eggs  allowed 
to  dry  without  being  exposed  to  extreme  cold. 


QUESTION — Of  what  value  are  nest  eggs? 

ANSWER — They  are  of  doubtful  value.  If  nest  eggs  are  used 
at  all  they  should  be  the  ordinary  china  eggs.  Real  eggs  remaining 
in  the  nest  may  be  the  means  of  starting  the  egg-eating  habit ;  they 
may  get  broken  and  soil  the  nest,  which  is  objectionable  for  other 
reasons  than  filth  and  they  may,  after  becoming  old,  be  taken  from 
the  nest  as  fresh  eggs  and  find  their  way  to  the  cook  or  the  table. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  is  the  difference  between  incubator  eggs 
and  other  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — The  term  "incubator  eggs"  is  applied  to  eggs  from  a 
medium  grade  of  standard  bred  birds  Large  breeders  of  high 
grade  stock  usually  have  a  number  of  breeding  birds  that  are  not 
fine  exhibition  birds  but  still  are  standard  bred  stock,  the  progeny 
of  the  best  birds  and  just  as  suitable  for  those  who  do  not  care  par- 
ticularly for  a  high  standard  of  exhibition  excellence.  These  eggs 
are  sold  cheaper,  usually  from  $5  to  $10  per  100,  and  are  called 
incubator  eggs. 


QUESTION — What  causes  duck  eggs  to  be  green  shelled  occa- 
sionally and  are  they  good  to  eat  and  hatch  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  an  unaccountable  freak  of  nature.  They  will 
hatch  when  fertile  and  there  is  no  noticeable  difference  in  the  eating 
qualities  of  them. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  tell  whether  an  egg  is  fertile 
without  incubating  it? 

ANSWER — No,  not  and  preserve  it.  It  can  be  broken  and  the 
information  obtained. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  principal  requirements  of  the  market 
as  regards  eggs? 

ANSWER — They  should  be  perfectly  clean,  strictly  fresh,  and  as 
near  the  same  size  and  color  as  possible.  The  latter  feature  is  more 
easily  obtainable  if  the  breeder  has  only  one  breed. 


QUESTION— How  soon  after  mating  the  breeding  birds  will  the 
eggs  prove  fertile? 

ANSWER — No  definite  time  can  be  given.  Usually  the  third  or 
fourth  egg  laid  will  be  fertile,  but  if  none  is  laid  for  several  days, 
the  first  one  laid  may  be  fertile. 


QUESTION — Will    abnormally    large  or  ill   shapen    or  double 
yolked  eggs  hatch  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  it  true  that  the  unusually  slender  eggs  will  pro- 
duce male  birds  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Why  are  the  yolks  of  some  eggs  light  yellow  and 
others  dark  yellow? 

ANSWER — It  is  caused  largely  by  the  food.  An  ample  supply  of 
green  food,  particularly  grass,  gives  the  yolk  a  richer  color. 


40  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Is  it  an  indication  of  impurity  of  breeding,  for 
brown-egg  breeds  to  lay  eggs  of  a  lighter  color  ? 

ANSWER — Not  always.  Heavy  and  continuous  laying  often- 
times results  in  light-colored  eggs  and  it  is  very  common  for  old 
hens  to  produce  eggs  almost  or  quite  white. 


QUESTION — What  causes  red  spots  resembling  blood  clots,  in 
eggs? 

ANSWER — Oftentimes  a  hen  for  various  reasons  will  be  forced 
to  lay  under  a  strain  sufficient  to  burst  one  or  more  of  the  minute 
blood  vessels  in  the  egg  organs  or  passages  and  the  blood  thus  lib- 
erated comes  in  contact  with  and  adheres  to  the  egg  and  the  shell 
is  then  formed  over  it.  Eggs  containing  blood  clots  are  generally 
from  over-fat  hens. 


QUESTION — How  long  may  eggs  be  kept  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — Set  them  as  soon  after  being  laid  as  possible.  They 
may  be  kept  from  four  to  six  weeks,  and  even  longer,  but  from 
two  to  three  weeks  should  be  the  limit.  They  should  be  turned  daily. 

QUESTION — At  what  temperature  should  eggs  for  hatching  .be 
kept? 

ANSWER — Within  certain  limits  a  specific  temperature  is  not  so 
important  as  a  uniform  one.  Anywhere  from  50  to  70  degrees  is  suit- 
able. 


QUESTION — Will  thunder  injuriously  affect  eggs  in  process  of 
incubation  ? 

ANSWER — No.  This  is  a  more  or  less  popular  fallacy,  having 
no  foundation  in  fact. 


QUESTION — How  far  may  eggs  be  shipped  without  injuring 
them  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — With  proper  handling,  the  distance  does  not  affect 
the  hatching  quality  of  eggs  aside  from  the  time  they  may  be  on  the 
road.  Under  ordinary  conditions  they  may  be  shipped  three  thousand 
miles  in  safety.  Rough  handling  may  injure  them  as  will  also  ex- 
posure to  zero  weather,  by  express  companies,  or  storing  them  close 
to  stoves  or  steam  pipes  in  overheated  express  cars. 

QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  allow  shipped  eggs  to  stand 
twenty-four  hours  before  setting  them  ? 

ANSWER — No.  This  plan  is  sometimes  advocated  on  the  ground 
that  the  eggs  should  remain  quiet  for  that  length  of  time  in  order  for 
the  germ  to  assume  its  normal  position.  It  will  do  this  almost  in- 
stantly. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  41 

QUESTION — What  percentage  of  eggs  should  prove  fertile  in 
October? 

ANSWER — It  all  depends  upon  the  feed  and  the  condition  of  the 
breeding  stock.  Under  favorable  conditions  75  to  90  per  cent  of  the 
eggs  will  be  fertile. 

QUESTION — How  soon  after  molting  will  eggs  be  fertile? 

ANSWER — Molting  in  itself  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  fertility 
of  the  eggs.  Eggs  laid  at  any  time  will  be  fertile  if  the  females  are 
mated  and  both  sexes  are  in  good  health  and  vigorous. 

QUESTION — How  often  should  eggs  be  turned,  that  are  being 
kept  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — It  is  best  to  turn  them  daily. 

QUESTION — What  causes  eggs  to  have  a  thick  ridge  in  the 
middle? 

ANSWER — Some  derangement  of  the  egg  organs,  generally  the 
result  of  the  fowl  being  too  fat. 

QUESTION — Will  eggs  from  pullets  hatch  as  well  as  those  from 
hens? 

ANSWER — They  will  if  the  pullefs  are  well  matured  and  have 
been  laying  a  short  time.  The  first  twelve  or  fifteen  eggs  from  a 
pullet  will,  in  most  cases,  prove  a  disappointment  when  incubated. 

QUESTION — Which  varieties  of  fowls  lay  white  eggs  and  which 
brown  eggs? 

ANSWER — White  eggs  are  laid  by  all  varieties  of  Leghorns, 
Minorcas,  Hamburgs,  Houdans,  Andalusians,  Anconas,  Polish  and 
White  Faced  Black  Spanish.  Brown  eggs  are  laid  by  all  varieties  of 
Plymouth  Rocks,  Wyandottes,  Cochins,  Langshans,  Orpingtons  and 
Indian  Games. 


QUESTION — Which  breed  lays  the  largest  egg  and  which  the 
smallest? 

ANSWER — The  eggs  of  Brahmas  and  Minorcas  are  the  largest 
and  are  practically  the  same  size.  The  Leghorns  and  Andalusians 
lay  the  smallest  eggs. 


QUESTION — Wrhat  is  the  difference  in  eating  qualities  between 
the  brown,  egg  and  the  white  egg? 

ANSWER — There  is  no  difference  whatever.  It  is  sometimes 
claimed  by  the  uninformed  that  the  brown  egg  has  a  richer  flavor, 
but  this  is  an  error.  The  Boston  market  demands  a  brown  egg,  the 
New  York  market  a  white  egg  and  the  Chicago  is  as  good  for  one  as 
the  other.  The  special  demand  for  either  i§  simply  a  fad. 


42  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Will  it  injure  eggs  that  are  being  kept  for  hatch- 
ing if  packed  in  bran  or  some  such  substance,  with  the  small  end 
of  the  egg  up? 

ANSWER — Yes.  The  large  end  contains  the  air  cell,  and  the 
egg  should  rest  on  the  small  end  or  the  side. 


QUESTION — What  causes  soft-shelled  eggs? 

ANSWER — They  may  be  the  result  of  diseased  organs  of  repro- 
duction and  especially  of  the  oviduct.  Excessively  fat  hens  are  liable 
to  lay  soft-shelled  eggs  when  the  layers  of  fat  are  so  abundant  as  to 
force  the  egg  out  before  it  can  receive  a  sufficient  coating  of  shell. 
Heavy  laying  birds  are  also  thus  afflicted,  by  reason  of  the  egg  pass- 
ages being  weakened  by  continual  strain  and  not  being  able  to  re- 
tain an  egg  after  the  shell  begins  to  harden.  In  exceptional  cases 
it  may  be  the  lack  of  shell  forming  elements  in  the  food. 


QUESTION — Will  eggs  hatch  that  have  had  grease  or  coal  oil 
on  them? 

ANSWER — Very  seldom. 

QUESTION — How  often  should  eggs  be  gathered  in  the  coldest 
weather  ? 

ANSWER — Three  times  per  day. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  ascertain  the  age  of  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — Germans  have  a  process  by  which  they  claim  to  be 
able  to  determine  the  age  of  an  egg  to  the  day.  The  egg  is  dropped 
in  a  solution  of  salt  containing  eight  ounces  to  the  pint.  If  the  egg  is 
only  one  day  old  it  sinks  immediately  to  the  bottom;  if  three  days 
old  it  sinks  just  below  the  surface  only,  and  from  five  days  upward 
it  floats.  It  is  well  known  that  the  air  cavity  at  the  blunt  end  of  an 
egg  enlarges  as  the  age  of  the  egg  increases.  When  the  egg  is 
placed  in  the  salt  solution  it  will  have  a  tendency  to  float  with  the 
long  axis  vertical.  A  scale  of  angles  is  placed  at  the  back  of  the 
vessel,  and  from  the  inclination  of  the  egg  to  the  horizontal,  it  is 
said,  the  age  can  be  gauged  almost  to  the  day.  A  new  laid  egg  lies 
horizontally  on  the  bottom  of  the  vessel.  When  three  to  five  days 
old  it  raises  itself  so  that  its  long  axis  makes  an  angle  of  about  20 
degrees  with  the  horizontal.  At  eight  days  the  angle  increases  to 
about  45  degrees ;  at  14  cbys  it  is  60  degrees ;  at  about  three  weeks  it 
is  about  75  degrees,  while  after  four  weeks  it  stands  upright  on  the 
pointed  end. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  cause  of  thin,  watery  eggs? 
ANSWER — Poor  food  that  is  deficient  in  the  elements  composing: 
the  egg. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  43 

QUESTION — What  is  the  highest  price  that  breeders  ever  ask 
for  eggs  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — Ten  dollars  per  setting;  sometimes  one  dollar  per 
egg- 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  convenient  cabinet  or  holder  on  the 
market  for  keeping  eggs? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Write  to  the  Woods  Egg  Holder  Co.,  St.  Louis, 
Mo. 


QUESTION — Will  it  injure  eggs  to  keep  them  in  a  cellar  if  it  is 
damp? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Can  eggs  that  are  old  be  distinguished  from  strictly 
fresh  eggs  by  the  smooth,  glossy  shell? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  much  ought  it  cost  the  average  farmer  to 
produce  eggs? 

ANSWER — About  6  cents  per  dozen. 


QUESTION — Are  brown  shelled  eggs  any  better  for  preserving 
than  the  white  shelled  ones? 
ANSWER— No. 


QUESTION — How  many  eggs  equal  in  nutrient  value  a  pound  of 
beef? 

ANSWER — About  six. 


QUESTION — Do  certain  foods  affect  the  flavor  of  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — The  egg  is  affected  by  food  in  much  the  same  way 
as  is  milk  from  the  cow.  With  the  egg,  the  difference  cannot  be 
detected  except  in  special  cases,  but  only  clean,  wholesome  food 
should  be  given  to  the  hen.  It  has  been  'demonstrated  that  wild 
onions  and  other  strong  vegetables  will  affect  the  flavor  of  the  egg. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Feeding. 


QUESTION — Should  the  water  for  fowls  be  warmed  in  winter? 
ANSWER — It  need  not  be  warmed,  but  if  convenient  the  breeder 
should  manage  to  supply  water  with  the  chill  off. 

QUESTION — Do  meat  meal   and  beef   scraps   deteriorate  with 
? 
ANSWER — Yes.  They  should  not  be  more  than  three  months  old. 

QUESTION — Is  alfalfa  as  good  for  fowls  as  clover? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Are  meat  cracklings  from  the  butcher  good  for 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — They  are  of  very  little  value  and  pork  cracklings  are 
not  worth  feeding. 

QUESTION — If  fowls  have  skim  milk  constantly  before  them  will 
it  take  the  place  of  water? 

ANSWER — No.    Water  should  always  be  within  reach. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  can  whole  corn  be  fed  to  chicks  with 
safety  ? 

ANSWER — No  specific  time  can  be  stated.  Give  it  to  them  as 
soon  as  they  are  able  to  swallow  it. 


QUESTION — Can  too  much  green  food  be  fed  to  chicks? 
ANSWER — No,  if  they  have  access  to  a  variety  of  other  food. 


QUESTION — Are  onions  valuable  as  a  food  for  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — They  a/e  if  not  fed  in  too  large  quantities.    A  liberal 
feed  or  two«will  cure  mild  colds. 


QUESTION — Is  sulphur  good  for  fowls? 

ANSWER — Powdered  sulphur  may  be  fed  in  the  soft  food  twice 
a  week  for  about  two  weeks  as  a  blood  purifier.  If  fed  in  damp 
weather  it  has  a  tendency  to  encourage  rheumatism. 


QUESTION — Of  what  value  are  egg  shells  as  a  food  for  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — It  is  a  mistaken  idea  that  they  are  of  any  value  at 
all.     Feeding  them  often  teaches  the  egg -eating  habit. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  45 

QUESTION — Are  hard-boiled    eggs    good    for    newly    hatched 
chicks  ? 

ANSWER — In  small  quantities  only. 


QUESTION — Can  too  much  raw  meat  be  fed  to  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — Yes.     Severe  indigestion  and  worms  are  two  of  the 
evils  attributed  to  overfeeding  of  meat. 


QUESTION — Is  millet  seed  an  especially  good  feed  for  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — An  exclusive  diet  of  it  is  very  injurious,  and  espe- 
cially in  the  case  of  chicks.  Its  value  is  largely  as  a  grain  to  scatter 
in  the  litter  to  encourage  exercise  by  scratching. 


QUESTION — Will  blood  meal  answer  the  purpose  of  all  other 
forms  of  animal  food  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Ordinary  blood  meal  is  of  little  value,  and  in 
most  cases  fowls  must  be  forced  to  eat  it. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  "cramming"  system  of  fattening? 

ANSWER — This  method  of  fattening  is  not  practiced  very  ex- 
tensively in  this  country.  It  is  chiefly  employed  in  France  and  Eng- 
land. The  fowl  is  confined  in  a  coop  just  large  enough  for  it  to  stand 
comfortably,  and  at  regular  intervals"  a  quantity  of  semi-liquid  food 
is  forced  into  the  crop  through  a  tube  inserted  in  the  throat  and 
extending  from  a  drum-like  receptacle  mounted  on  three  legs.  The 
machine  is  operated  by  foot  power  and  the  food  consists  of  ground 
grains  mixed  with  milk,  water,  etc.,  to  the  consistency  of  thin  mush. 


QUESTION — When  is  the  best  time  to  give  the  mash  food ? 

ANSWER — Give  it  as  the  first  meal  in  the  morning.  It  is  quickly 
digested  and  the  fowl,  after  remaining  upon  the  perch  for  12  hours 
or  more,  needs  something  to  satisfy  the  hunger  quickly.  It  is  claimed 
by  a  few  successful  breeders  that  the  mash  should  be  given  in  the 
evening  for  the  reason  that  if  given  in  the  morning  the  fowls  will 
have  their  hunger  satisfied  and  will  not  then  take  needed  exercise 
in  hunting  for  grain  or  other  food.  This  argument  is  based  upon 
the  assumption  that  the  fowls  are  overfed  with  the  mash  in  the  morn- 
ing. This  should  be  avoided.  Give  only  enough  to  partially  satisfy 
the  hunger  and  sharpen  the  appetite  for  additional  food.  If  the.  mash 
be  given  at  night  it  will  be  so  quickly  digested  that  the  fowl  will  not 
have  the  desired  nourishment  till  morning. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  effect  of  overfeeding  of  green  cut 
bone? 

ANSWER — A  serious  derangement  of  the  digestive  organs  which 
may  lead  to  other  diseases.  * 


46  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  the  best  way  to  feed  clover  hay  ? 

ANSWER — It  should  be  cut  into  at  least  half  inch  lengths  and 
mixed  with  the  mash.  Place  it  in  a  vessel  at  night  and  cover  it  with 
boiling  water.  Cover  the  vessel  tightly  to  retain  all  the  steam  and 
moisture.  Let  it  stand  till  morning  and  use  both  the  clover  and  the 
liquid  in  making  the  mash. 

QUESTION — Is  clover  meal  better  or  in  more  desirable  form  than 
clover  hay? 

ANSWER — Clover  meal  is  the  best  form  in  which  to  feed  clover, 
but  there  is  excellent  chance  for  adulteration  in  preparing  it,  and  the 
purchaser  should  buy  it  where  he  is  reasonably  sure  of  getting  the 
genuine  article. 


QUESTION — Should  whole  grain  be  fed  in  the  feed  troughs  or 
upon  the  ground? 

ANSWER — Grain  should  always  be  fed  in  straw  or  some  sort 
of  litter  where  the  fowls  will  be  compelled  to  do  more  or  less 
scratching  to  obtain  it.  This  serves  to  keep  them  busy  and  is  nearer 
the  natural  method  of  obtaining  food  on  the  range. 


QUESTION — How  should  the  mash  food  be  fed? 

ANSWER — Mash  and  all  other  soft  and  wet  foods  should  be  fed 
in  troughs  or  other  vessels.  Never  throw  it  on  the  ground,  as  much 
of  it  will  be  wasted,  and  what  is  eaten  will  contain  more  or  less  dirt 
and  filth,  and  very  probably  germs  of  numerous  diseases. 


QUESTION — In  what  quantity  and  how  often  should  green  bone 
be  fed  to  fowls? 

ANSWER — Much  depends  upon  the  quantity  of  other  meat  or 
animal  food  given.  If  the  animal  food  consists  of  green  bone  ex- 
clusively, give  about  an  ounce  each  day  to  each  fowl.  Feed  it  alone 
or  mixed  with  the  mash. 


QUESTION — Are  table  scraps  good  for  fowls? 

ANSWER — As  a  general  rule  they  are  too  highly  seasoned  and  too 
concentrated  to  be  fed  in  large  quantities.  They  affect  fowls  as  a 
continued  diet  of  very  rich  food  affects  people.  The  result  is  indi- 
gestion and  liver  disease.  Table  scraps  should  be  fed  sparingly  and 
mixed  with  ground  grain. 


QUESTION — What  food  is  best  to  grow  fowls  to  extra  large 
size? 

ANSWER — There  is  no  special  food  that  will  produce  unusual 
size  in  fowls.  Feed  them  a  variety  of  good,  wholesome  food  and 
this  with  proper  care  will  bring  best  results. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION  —  What  is  the  value  of  wheat  screenings  ? 

ANSWER  —  Wheat  screenings  are  almost  worthless.  There  is  of 
course  a  wide  difference  in  them,  but  even  the  best  are  of  little 
value.  The  proportion  of  good  sound  grain  in  them  is  very  small, 
and  a  much  greater  bulk  must  be  consumed  by  the  fowl  in  order 
to  secure  the  same  result.  This  excess  of  worthless  matter  is  not 
only  injurious  to  the  fowl  but  makes  the  cost  of  feeding  greater, 
because  much  more  is  required  to  sustain  the  fowl. 

QUESTION  —  How  should  vegetables  be  fed,  raw  or  cooked? 

ANSWER  —  Principally  raw,  but  potatoes  and  turnips  are  better 
cooked  and  fed  with  the  mash.  Raw  onions  should  also  be  fed  in 
that  manner. 


QUESTION — Is  pop  corn  of  any  value  as  a  food  for  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — Very  little.     If  it  can  be  procured  very  cheaply  it 
may  be  fed  in  small  quantities. 

QUESTION — Of  what  value  is  ground  charcoal  as  a  food  for 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — It  should  not  be  fed  regularly.  It  is  chiefly  valuable 
as  an  absorbent  of  gases  and  a  corrective  of  mild  bowel  'disorders. 
It  is  especially  serviceable  in  cases  of 'sour  crop,  as  it  stops  fermenta- 
tion and  sweetens  the  contents. 


QUESTION — In  what  quantities  should  green  cut  bone  be  fed 
to  chicks  ? 

ANSWER — Feed  it  to  chicks  about  every  three  days,  giving  them 
what  they  will  eat  up  clean. 


QUESTION — How  much  grain  will  the  average  chicken  eat  at  one 
time? 

ANSWER — No  fixed  amount  can  be  stated.  The  amount  of  other 
food  given  influences  the  matter.  Ordinarily  a  half  pint  is  suffi- 
cient. 


QUESTION — What  advantage  is  there  in  feeding  linseed  meal, 
oil  meal,  oil  cake  and  other  like  foods  ? 

ANSWER — They  are  of  an  oily  composition  and  are  supposed  to 
aid  in  growing  feathers,  thus  being  especially  valuable  before  and 
during  the  molting  period.  They  are  also  valuable  as  a  mild  laxa- 
tive. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  feed  cut  clover  to  chickens  if  they 
have  a  range  on  green  rye  or  other  growing  green  food  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


990  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  are  clipped  oats  that  are  so  often  recom- 
mended as  preferable  to  ordinary  oats? 

ANSWER — They  are  the  ordinary  oats  with  the  pointed  ends 
clipped  off.  They  are  very  desirable,  but  cannot  be  procured  in  some 
localities. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  danger  of  crop  bound  or  injury  to  the 
crop  in  feeding  large  quantities  of  oats  ? 

ANSWER — Only  in  exceptional  cases  does  any  injury  result. 
Oats  are  valuable  as  a  food  for  fowls  and  should  be  fed  in  some 
form.  There  are  hulled,  clipped  and  ground  oats,  either  of  which 
are  good. 

QUESTION — How  can  oats  be  fed  so  as  to  eliminate  all  chance 
of  the  sharp  points  penetrating  the  crop? 

ANSWER — Pour  scalding  water  over  them,  which  will  soften 
them.  Allow  them  to  cool  and  then  feed  them  in  troughs  or  other 
receptacles. 

QUESTION — Can  fowls  be  successfully  raised  without  any  animal 
or  meat  food  at  all? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Does   cooking   increase   the   digestibility  of  vege- 
tables and  green  food? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Should  salt  be  regularly  given  to  fowls  in  their 
food? 

ANSWER — No.  Salt,  pepper  and  other  like  seasoning  is  not 
necessary,  and  is  generally  harmful. 

QUESTION — What  is  a  good  chick  food  similar  to  the  grain 
mixtures  on  the  market  for  young  chicks? 

ANSWER — Cracked  wheat  25  parts,  pinhead  oatmeal  15  parts, 
millet  seed  10  parts,  cracked  corn  10  parts,  granulated  charcoal  5 
parts,  chick  size  grit  10  parts,  buckwheat  5  parts,  rape  seed  5  parts, 
broken  rice  5  parts,  cracked  peas  5  parts,  and  ground  beef  scraps  or 
other  meat  meal  5  parts.  Some  of  these  are  not  easily  obtainable  in 
all  sections  and  the  mixture  should  be  made  with  the  ingredients  at 
hand  and  considering  cost. 

QUESTION— What  is  meant  by  "mash"? 

ANSWER — The  term  is  applied  to  food  in  a  mealy  or  powdered 
form,  usually  ground  grains,  to  which  is  added  liquids  and  thoroughly 
mixed  to  a  wet,  crumbly  consistency. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  49 

QUESTION — What  is  a  suitable  mixture  to  use  in  a  cramming 
machine  for  fattening  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — Corn  meal  two  parts,  ground  buckwheat  2  parts, 
ground  oats  one  part,  mixed  with  skim  milk  to  the  consistency  of 
gruel. 

QUESTION — Will  fowls  fatten  quicker  and  better  if  confined  in 
small  coops  than  if  allowed  to  run  in  a  large  pen  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  profitable  to  feed  condition  powder  to  fowls 
regularly  ? 

ANSWER — No.   The  less  fed  the  better. 


QUESTION — W7hat  are  the  principal  foods  that  are  suitable,  and 
of  value,  for  fowls? 

ANSWER — The  various  grains,  including  wheat,  oats,  corn,  buck- 
wheat, millet,  barley,  rye,  etc.,  the  two  latter  being  not  so  desirable 
as  the  first  mentioned  four.  Millet  is  principally  of  value  in  feeding 
young  chicks.  The  numerous  ground  by-products  of  the  various 
grains  are  useful  and  are  used  in  the  form  of  "mash."  Green  food 
is  essential  and  may  consist  of  any  of  the  ordinary  vegetables  in  the 
form  of  roots,  plants  and  vines.  Green  or  growing  vegetation  of 
most  any  kind  is  valuable,  and  especially  clover  alfalfa,  rye,  rape,  cow 
peas,  soy  beans,  etc  Animal  food  is  also  necessary  in  the  form  of 
worms,  bugs,  insects  and  such  animal  life  as  the  fowl  obtains  when 
on  range.  When  kept  in  confinement,  animal  food  should  be  sup* 
plied  in  the  form  of  fresh  meat  scraps  or  ground  green  bone.  Milk 
in  its  various  forms  is  particularly  valuable  and  should  be  used 
chiefly  in  wetting  the  mash.  Table  scraps  may  be  fed  sparingly, 
mixed  in  the  mash. 


QUESTION — Of  what  value  is  oyster  shell  in  feeding  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — Oyster  shell  is  not  so  valuable  as  is  generally  sup- 
posed. Its  chemical  constituents  are  similar  to  those  of  the  egg  shell 
as  regards  lime  compounds  particularly,  and  the  feeding  of  oyster 
shell  is  supposed  to  aid  in  producing  material  in  the  hen  for  form- 
ing the  shell  of  the  egg.  Oyster  or  other  similar  shell  is  not  neces- 
sary when  proper  food  is  given.  It  is  supposed  to  prevent  the  lay- 
ing of  soft  shelled  eggs,  but  the  laying  of  such  eggs  is  generally  con- 
trolled by  conditions  over  which  the  feeding  of  oyster  shell  has  no 
influence. 


QUESTION — When  is  the  best  time  to  sow  alfalfa  for  green 
food? 

ANSWER— August  i.sth  to  September  I5th. 


50  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  "balanced  ration"? 

ANSWER — In  this  sense  the  word  balanced  means  properly  pro- 
portioned as  regards  the  value  of  the  food  in  question,  for  specific 
purposes,  and  ration  means  a  supply  of  food.  A  balanced  ration  is 
an  allowance  of  food  which  is  so  mixed  and  proportioned  as  to  pro- 
duce the  maximum  of  food  value  and  a  minimum  amount  of  waste. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  object  in  feeding  a  balanced  ration? 

ANSWER — A  surplus  of  any  food  stuff,  fed  to  a  fowl  over  and 
above  the  amount  which  is  digestible  and  convertible  to  its  needs  is 
a  waste  of  food  and  injury  to  the  fowl.  A  balanced  ration  is  best 
from  the  standpoint  of  financial  economy  and  for  the  purpose  of  get- 
ting the  best  results  as  regards  the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  product 
of  the  fowl. 


QUESTION — What  is  best  for  grit  and  what  are  its  uses  ? 

ANSWER — Good  grit  should  consist  of  a  hard,  flinty  substance  in 
irregular  shaped  particles  with  sharp  edges  or  corners.  For  adult 
fowls  the  particles  should  be  about  the  size  of  a  pea  or  small  bean. 
Round  or  smooth  objects  are  worthless.  Crushed  stone,  gravel  or 
broken  chinaware  is  serviceable.  Broken  glass  is  sometimes  used, 
but  is  not  suitable,  chiefly  on  account  of  possible  injury  from  cut- 
ting the  fowl  internally.  Mica  Crystal  grit,  usually  obtainable  from 
any  supply  dealer,  is  a  most  excellent  article.  A  plentiful  supply 
of  good  grit  should  always  be  within  reach  of  fowls.  It  is  necessary 
in  aiding  the  action  of  the  gizzard  in  grinding-  the  food  preparatory 
to  digestion,  and  the  lack  of  it  is  the  foundation  of  many  fatal  ail- 
ments. 


QUESTION — Which  foods  are  the  greatest  fat  producers  ? 

ANSWER — Corn  and  its  by-products  are  the  chief  fattening 
foods  in  the  grain  list.  Buckwheat  may  be  included.  Ground  or 
broken  rice  is  fattening  and  potatoes  and  other  starchy  vegetables  are 
useful  for  the  purpose.  Milk  is  more  or  less  fattening,  and  espe- 
cially when  sweetened. 


QUESTION — How  should  sunflower  seed  be  fed  ? 

ANSWER — About  a  pint  each  day  to  15  fowls.  It  is  chiefly  of 
use  during  the  molting  period.  It  is  oily  in  composition  and  aids  in 
the  dropping  of  the  old  plumage  and  the  introduction  of  the  new. 


QUESTION — Are  infertile  eggs  tested  out  of  the  incubator  a  good 
food  for  chicks  ? 

ANSWER — Eggs  fed  to  chicks  should  be  hard  boiled  an-.l  those 
mentioned  are  as  good  as  any.  They  should  not  be  given  as  an  ex- 
clusive diet. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  51 

QUESTION — Should  fowls  be  fed  every  time  they  fly  around  tta 
keeper,  giving  unmistakable  evidence  that  they  want  food? 

ANSWER — No.  Fowls  soon  learn  to  do  this  and  many  people 
keep  their  flocks  constantly  overfed  on  this  account.  Feed  at  regu- 
lar intervals  and  don't  feed  more  than  you  know  is  proper.  A  bird 
should  be  hungry  enough  to  eat  a  little  at  all  times. 


QUESTION — When  is  the  proper  time  to  cut  clover  hay  for  car- 
ing for  .poultry  food  ? 

ANSWER — When  about  two-thirds  of  the  heads  have  turned 
brown. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  good  ration  for  laying  hens  and  in  what 
quantities  should  it  be  fed  ? 

ANSWER — Use  a  mash  mixture  made  as  follows:  Oats,  15 
pounds ;  corn  meal,  5  pounds ;  bran,  5  pounds ;  shorts  or  wheat  mid- 
dlings, 5  pounds ;  clover  meal,  10  pounds ;  meat  meal  or  cut  green 
bone,  10  pounds,  making  50  pounds  of  a  dry  mixture.  For  a  flock 
of  25  hens  give  four  pounds  of  this  mixture  each  morning,  made 
into  a  crumbling  mash  by  wetting  with  water  or  skim  milk  if  ob- 
tainable. At  noon  give  one  quart  of  wheat  and  at  night  one  quart 
of  corn.  The  noon  and  night  feeds  should  be  given  in  deep  litter 
and  the  grains  can  be  alternated,  giving  corn  and  wheat  one  day  and 
wheat  and  oats  the  next,  or  corn  and  oats.  The  idea  is  to  give  a 
change.  This  ration  is  for  fowls  that  do  net  have  access  to  a  range 
but  are  confined  in  houses  and  runs  practically  free  from  vegetation. 
If  free  range  can  be  given  at  a  season  of  the  year  when  animal  and 
green  food  can  be  obtained  by  the  fowls,  omit  the  noon  meal  and 
do  not  use  the  clover  meal  and  meat  meal  or  green  cut  bone  in  the 
mash. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  recipe  for  Johnny  cake,  so  oiten  recom- 
mended for  feeding  young  chicks  ? 

ANSWER — One  part  ground  oats,  one  part  wheat  bran,  one  part 
corn  meal.  Mix  with  skim  milk,  sour  milk  or  butter  milk  and  bake 
it.  A  little  ground  charcoal  may  be  added  and  it  may  also  be  slightly 
seasoned  with  salt. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  difference  between  green  bone  and  raw 
ground  bone  ? 

ANSWER — By  green  bone  is  meant  bone  fresh  from  the  butcher's 
which  contains  all  the  natural  juices  and  has  more  or  less  fresh  meat 
adhering  to  it.  Raw  ground  bone  is  made  from  these  same  bones 
after  they  have  become  thoroughly  dried  out  and  have  lost  a  large 
portion  if  not  practically  all  the  valueble  properties  of  fresh  cut 
bone. 


C2  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Is  stale  baker's  bread  a  good  food  for  poultry  ? 
ANSWER — Yes,  if  not  moldy.     It  should  be  soaked  in  water, 
press-ed  comparatively  dry  and  then  used  as  a  part  of  the  mash. 


QUESTION — Will  it  pay  to  save  lawn  clippings  till  winter  for 
winter  green  food  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  broom  corn  seed  a  good  food  for  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — It  is  fairly  good  if  thoroughly  ripened.    It  is  of  about 
the  same  value  as  sorghum  seed. 


QUESTION — Will  mash  food  prove  injurious  to  fowls  if  fed  after 
it  has  become  sour? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — WTill  heavy  feeding  of  new  corn  have  a  bad  effect 
on  fowls? 

ANSWER — Yes-.    Feed  it  sparingly,  or  mix  it  with  old  grain. 


QUESTION — Of  what  advantage  is  beef  tallow  fed  to  exhibition 
birds? 

ANSWER — It  is  supposed  to  assist  in  putting  a  gloss  on  the  plum- 
age. 


QUESTION — Is  it  profitable  to  feed  liberally  of  wheat  if  it  costs 
75  cents  per  bushel  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  blood  from  the  butcher  shop  a  good  food  for 
fowls  ?  If  so  how  should  it  be  prepared  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.     Place  it  in  a  sack  and  boil  it. 


QUESTION — Are  the  prepared  chick  foods  on  the  market,  in  the 
shape  of  a  mixture  of  various  grains,  worth  the  price  asked  for 
them  ? 

ANSWER — Most  of  them  are. 


QUESTION — Is  raw  corn  meal  made  into  a  mash  good  for  young 
chicks  ? 

ANSWER — In  small  quantities  only.  It  is  very  easy  to  feed  too 
much  of  it,  in  which  case  serious  bowel  trouble  is  the  result.  It  is 
better  left  out  of  the  bill  of  fare  entirely. 


QUESTION — Will  cinders  from  coal  ashes  answer  for  grit? 
ANSWER — No,  they  are  too  soft. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  53 

QUESTION — Is  the  dry  feed  method  as  good  as  the  plan  of  giv- 
ing mashes  occasionally? 

ANSWER — One  method  is  as  good  as  the  other,  and  neither  one 
can  be  said  to  be  better  than  the  other.  It  all  depends  upon  how  the 
fowls  are  fed. 


QUESTION — Is  charred  corn  of  any  special  value  as  a  food  ? 

ANSWER — An  occasional  feed,  say  once  a  week,  is  very  bene- 
ficial. Take  shelled  corn  and  burn  it  till  well  charred  on  the  out- 
side. 


QUESTION — If  any  one  grain  can  be  said  to  be  a  better  egg 
producing  food  than  all  the  others,  what  is  it? 
ANSWER — Wheat. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  objection  to  too  much  wet  or  sloppy 
foods  such  as  mashes  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  nature's  plan  for  the  fowl  to  grind  the  food 
with  grit  in  the  gizzard  and  this  activity  is  necessary  for  good 
health.  Too  much  mash  food  produces  sluggishness  of  this  organ 
and  disease  results. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  limit  of  age  of  sour  milk  for  feeding? 
ANSWER — Do  not  feed  it  if  it  is  more  than  three  davs  old. 


QUESTION — Do  a  majority  of  the  successful  egg  farmers  feed 
mash? 

ANSWER — Yes,  nearly  all  of  them  feed  it  once  a  day. 


QUESTION — Where  can  cramming  machines  for  fattening  poul- 
try be  purchased? 

ANSWER — W  .H.  Allen.  Jr.,  Arlington,  Mass. 


QUESTION — Is  oatmeal  a  good  food  for  bantams? 
ANSWER — It  is  one  of  the  best  foods  that  can  be  given. 


QUESTION — Are  sweet  potatoes  a  good  food  for  fowls? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  linseed  meal  or  cottonseed  meal  take  the  place 
of  meat? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  feed  green  cut  bone  in  winter, 
even  though  the  fowls  have  free  range? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


54  9&9  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — How  long  should  the  mash  food  be  left  before  the 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — If  they  do  not  empty  the  troughs  in  fifteen  minutes 
take  the  balance  of  the  food  from  them. 


QUESTION — Will  green  cut  bone  answer  for  grit? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Are  potato  parings  good  for  fowls? 
"ANSWER — They  do  fairly  well  if  boiled  and  chopped  fine  or 
mixed  in  the  mash. 


QUESTION — When  fowls  have  access  to  grapevines  and  eat  the 
green  grapes  will  it  retard  laying? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Should  meat  foods  be  fed  to  chicks  from  the  start? 
ANSWER — It  is  better  to  wait  till  they  are  about  two  weeks  old. 


QUESTION — What  effect  does  the  feeding  of  sour  or  moldy  food 
have? 

ANSWER — It  causes  serious  bowel  disorders. 


QUESTION — How   soon  in  the  morning  should    fowls    receive 
their  first  meal? 

ANSWER — As  soon  as  they  leave  the  perches. 


QUESTION — What  arrangement  would  you  suggest  for  feeding 
fowls  the  first  feed  of  the  day,  if  it  is  not  possible  for  the  keeper  to 
see  them  till  very  late  every  morning? 

ANSWER — Scatter  the  proper  quantity  of  grain  in  the  litter  at 
night  after  the  fowls  have  gone  to  roost.  They  will  find  it  in  the 
morning  when  they  leave  the  perches. 


QUESTION — What  would  you  advise  sowing  in  the  yards  for 
green  food  in  early  spring? 
ANSWER — Oats  and  rape. 


QUESTION — Will  fowls  fatten  as  well  on  an  all  dry  food  ration 
as  they  will  by  feeding  mash  foods  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  it  a  good  idea  to  bury  the  grain  in  spaded  earth 
and  compel  the  fowls  to  scratch  for  it? 

ANSWER — No.  Feed  it  in  clean  straw  or  other  litter.  Much  of 
it  is  lost  when  buried  in  the  earth. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  55 

QUESTION — Does  it  pay  to  invest  in  a  feed  cooker  if  one  has  as 
many  as  500  fowls? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  fowls  do  best  if  regular  hours  are  observed 
for  feeding? 

ANSWER — Yes.  « 


QUESTION — How  can  a  small  and  cheap  silo  be  erected  for  keep- 
ing green  food  for  fowls? 

ANSWER — Sink  a  vinegar  or  other  tight  barrel  in  the  ground. 


QUESTION — How  long  after  rape  seed  is  sown  will  it  be  ready 
for  the  fowls  to  pasture  upon  it? 
ANSWER — Six  to  eight  weeks. 


QUESTION — How  many  crops  of  rape  can  be  raised  from  one 
seeding  ? 

ANSWER — Three.          

QUESTION — Which  is  the  best  of  the  green  foods  ? 
ANSWER — Clover. 


QUESTION — Is  it  best  to  feed  the  mash  warmed  in  winter? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Do  old  hens  require  as  much  food  as  pullets  ? 
ANSWER — No.    Generally  what  will  be  right  for  a  growing  pul- 
let will  make  an  old  hen  too  fat. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  good  method  of  feeding  cabbage  to  the 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — Tie  a  string  to  the  stalk  and  suspend  it  from  the  ceil- 
ing of  the  house,  letting  it  come  to  within  twelve  to  eighteen  inches 
of  the  floor.  The  idea  is  to  compel  the  fowls  to  jump  a  little  for  each 
piece  they  get,  thereby  giving  them  exercise. 


QUESTION — How  can  beets,  turnips  and  other  like  vegetables  be 
fed  raw  with  the  least  waste  and  to  best  advantage  ? 

ANSWER — Take  a  piece  of  board,  preferably  one  inch  thick,  five 
inches  wide,  and  of  any  convenient  length,  three  feet  being  a  good 
size.  Drive  wire  spikes  into  it  six  inches  long,  and  have  them  about 
six  inches  apart.  Place  the  vegetables  upon  these  spikes,  forcing 
them  down  till  they  rest  on  the  board.  Set  the  board  in  a  conven- 
ient place  and  allow  the  fowls  to  eat  at  will.  To  prevent  the  spikes 
from  falling  out,  another  board  of  the  same  size  may  be  nailed  over 
the  first  one,  covering  the  heads  of  the  spikes. 


56  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Chicks. 

QUESTION — When  killing  lice  on  chicks,  with  grease,  is  there 
any  danger  of  injuring  the  chick? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Too  much  should  not  be  used,  and  especially 
on  the  bod 


QUESTION — How  soon  can  the  chicks  be  taken  from  the  mother 
hen? 

ANSWER — It  is  best  to  leave  them  with  her  till  she  neglects 
them. 


QUESTION — Are  the  advertised  liquid  lice  killers  too  strong  for 
use  in  nest  boxes  and  coops  for  very  young  chicks  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.     The  fumes  are  fatal  in  most  cases. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  great  disadvantage  in  allowing  chicks 
of  different  ages  to  run  together? 

ANSWER — Yes.  The  larger  and  stronger  ones  will  invariably 
annoy  and  fight  the  weaker  ones  and  prevent  them  from  getting  as 
much  food  as  they  need. 


QUESTION — Will  February  and  March  hatched  chicks  molt  in 
the  late  summer  and  fall? 

ANSWER — Yes,  in  most  cases. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  is  a  chick  a  broiler  ? 
ANSWER — From  six  to  twelve  weeks.     The  weight  should  be 
il/2  to  3  pounds. 

QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  train  the  chicks  to  roost  on  the 
perches  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Have  the  perches  low  so  that  the  chicks  can 
reach  them,  and  they  may  be  depended  upon  to  take  to  the  roost 
at  the  proper  time. 


QUESTION — How  can  young  chicks  be  protected  from  hawks  ? 

ANSWER — The  only  sure  way  is  a  good  gun,  and  someone  who 
can  shoot  it.  A  scare  crow  is  more  or  less  effective,  and  in  locali- 
ties where  martins  are  found  it  will  pay  to  put  up  boxes  for  them  on 
tall  poles,  as  they  are  a  great  help  in  keeping  hawks  away. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  57 

QUESTION — Are  chicks  when  first  hatched  the  same  color  as 
the  adult  fowls? 

ANSWER — No.  Some  varieties  are  very  different.  Most  chicks 
of  black  breeds  will  show  a  yellow  or  creamy  color  in  some  places, 
and  chicks  of  the  white  breeds  may  be  smutty  or  have  dark  patches 
in  the  down.  The  parti-colored  breeds  produce  chicks  irregular  in 
color.  The  true  color  begins  to  appear  when  the  first  feathers  begin 
to  show  and  after  the  first  downy  covering  of  the  chick  has  disap- 
peared. 


QUESTION — Are  chicks  properly  incubated  and  in  good  condi- 
tion when  they  hatch  on  the  2Oth  day? 

ANSWER — Yes ;  21  days  is  the  time  which  is  accepted  as  the 
correct  period  of  incubation,  but  strongly  fertilized  eggs  from 
healthy,  vigorous  stock  will  begin  to  hatch  on  the  2Oth  day,  and 
some  of  the  eggs  in  any  particular  lot  may  begin  to  pip  on  the  iQth 
day. 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  determine  the  sex  of  the  chick 
during  the  period  of  incubation  or  before  the  egg  is  set? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  often  should  -chicks  be  fed  during  the  first 
ten  days? 

ANSWER — Do  not  feed  them  at  all  till  they  are  48  hours  old. 
Then  feed  them  five  times  per  day  till  they  are  ten  days  old. 


QUESTION — In  punching  the  webs  of  the  feet  of  chicks,  when  is 
the  best  time  to  do  it? 

ANSWER — It  may  be  done  any  time,  and  it  is  best  to  do  it  when 
the  chicks  are  taken  from  the  nest  or  the  incubator. 


QUESTION — How  can  very  small  chicks  best  be  resuscitated, 
that  have  been  caught  out  of  the  brooder  in  a  heavy  rain  and  are  wet 
and  chilled  to  the  point  where  they  are  apparently  dead  ? 

ANSWER — Heat  the  brooder  or  incubator  to  103  degrees  and 
place  the  chicks  in  it  for  an  hour  or  two,  after  they  have  first  been 
revived  by  applications  of  water  to  their  bodies  which  has  been 
heated  to  about  103  to  105  degrees.  The  better  plan  is  to  saturate  a 
flannel  cloth  with  the  warmed  water  and  wrap  the  chick  in  it  for  a 
moment,  after  which  place  it  in  the  incubator  or  brooder. 

QUESTION — How  can  the  sex  of  very  young  chicks  be  ascer- 
tained ? 

ANSWER — The  male  is  a  little  larger  and  coarser,  his  comb  is 
also  larger  and  the  tail  feathers  more  developed. 


58  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Can  chicks  be  hatched  profitably  every  month  in 
the  year? 

ANSWER — No,  unless  they  are  produced  as  broilers  from  Octo- 
ber to  February,  and  incubators  and  brooders  are  employed  with 
special  brooder  houses. 


QUESTION — Is  it  wise  to  attempt  to  raise  late  hatched  chick- 
ens? 

ANSWER — Chicks  may  be  hatched  in  June  and  July  if  one  is 
prepared  to  give  the  extra  care  needed  to  keep  them  growing  by 
extra  attention  to  feeding  and  watering  and  protection  from  the  hot 
sun. 


QUESTION — What  causes  leg  weakness  in  chicks  ? 

ANSWER — Board  floors  will  cause  it  by  creating  a  stiffness  in 
the  legs  and  feet.  Exposure  to  cold  and  wet  will  cause  it  by  bring- 
ing; on  an  attack  of  rheumatism.  Overfeeding  induces  it  by  adding 
weight  to  the  body  before  the  legs  can  gain  equal  strength. 

QUESTION — What  can  be  done  with  chicks  when  the  long  feath- 
ers of  the  wings  attain  such  enormous  length  as  to  extend  past  the 
tail  and  seemingly  have  a  depressing  effect  on  the  chick? 

ANSWER — Stop  the  growth  by  clipping  the  feathers  close  to  the 
base. 


QUESTION — Will  incubator  chicks  be  absolutely  free  from  lice 
if  the  machine  is  not  infested,  and  if  they  are  not  allowed  to  come 
in  contact  with  hens  or  other  fowls  or  buildings  where  lice  are  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  That  is  one  of  the  valuable  features  of  the  in- 
cubator. 


QUESTION — Will  chicks  thrive  better  on  an  earth  floor  than  on 
a  board  one? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Why  is  it  necessary  to  keep  the  young  chicks  in 
the  brooder  in  the  morning  till  the  dew  is  off  the  grass? 

ANSWER — It  is  not  necessary.  It  is  often  advocated  but  a 
good  healthy  strong  chick  will  thrive  better  not  shut  up. 


QUESTION — Is  it  generally  profitable  to  buy  chicks  that  have 
just  been  taken  from  the  incubator  ? 

ANSWER — There  is  some  trade  in  this  branch  of  the  business, 
but  in  most  cases  it  is  unsatisfactory.  Chicks  need  constant  brooder 
care  and  ample  food  for  the  first  few  weeks  and  they  usually  get  a. 
setback  when  shipped. 


999  [QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  59 

QUESTION — Will  all  cats  eat  young  chicks? 
ANSWER — It  is  not  safe  to  trust  any  of  them  where  young  chicks 
are. 


QUESTION — Are  brooder  raised  chicks  as  strong  and  healthy  as 
those  raised  by  hens? 

ANSWER — There  is  no  difference  if  they  are  properly  brooded. 

QUESTION — What  is  a  fair  number  of  chicks  to  expect  from  a 
setting  of  shipped  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — Ten  chicks  from  fifteen  eggs. 


QUESTION — If  not  more  than  eight  chicks  hatch  from  a  setting 
of  fifteen  eggs,  ought  the  seller  duplicate  the  order  at  half  price  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  many  chicks  should  be  allowed  in  a  coop  to- 
gether after  weaning  from  the  mother  hen? 
ANSWER — Twenty-five. 


QUESTION — What  could  cause  bowel  trouble  in  chicks  that  are 
from  one  to  two  weeks  old,  when  they  are  free  from  lice  and  are 
properly  fed  and  brooded? 

ANSWER — There  is  large  mortality  among  young  chicks  result- 
ing from  inherited  weakness  or  abnormal  development  of  some  of 
the  organs  of  digestion,  or  the  same  effect  may  be  produced  by  im- 
proper incubation.  The  chicks  may  seem  all  right  in  every  way  till 
bowel  trouble  sets  in  and  results  in  death.  The  only  method  of  discov- 
ering the  trouble  is  a  post-mortem  examination.  Just  before  the  chick 
breaks  the  shell,  it  takes  into  the  proper  cavity  the  balance  of  the  yolk 
of  the  egg.  This  yolk  is  gradually  fed  into  the  intestine,  until  at  the 
end  of  four  or  five  days  it  should  be  entirely  absorbed.  If  on  ac- 
count of  weakness  or  abnormal  development,  as  mentioned  above, 
this  yolk  is  not  normally  digested  and  absorbed,  it  finally  decomposes 
and  poisons  the  chick  and  fatal  bowel  trouble  is  the  result.  There  is 
of  course  no  cure  for  it. 


QUESTION — If  young  chicks  are  allowed  to  roost  too  soon  on 
very  narrow  perches,  will  it  cause  them  to  have  crooked  breast 
bones? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  long  should  a  baby  fowl  be  called  a  chick? 

ANSWER — Chick  is  a  term  applied  to  the  newly  hatched  fowl 
till  the  sex  can  be  distinguished,  and  the  term  to  be  used  then  is 
cockerel  or  pullet, 


60  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  causes  the  crops  of  very  young  chicks  to 
become  distended  and  very  hard,  causing  death? 

ANSWER — Chicks  sometimes  get  crop  bound  the  same  as  do  old 
fowls.  It  may  be  caused  by  taking  something  into  the  crop  too  large 
to  pass  through,  or  continued  overfeeding  may  cause  it  by  repeated 
distensions  of  the  crop  till  the  muscles  are  paralyzed  and  the  organ 
refuses  to  act. 


QUESTION — Can  very  young  chicks  drink  enough  cold  water  to 
give  them  bowel  trouble? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  lettuce  good  for  young  chicks  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  lice  affect  chicks  in  the  same  way  as  gapes, 
as  regards  the  movement  of  the  head? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Oftentimes  chicks  die  from  the  ravages  of 
lice  and  the  owner  attributes  the  trouble  to  gapes. 

QUESTION — Will  coarse,  sharp  sand  do  for  grit  for  very  young 
chicks  ? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTIONS — If  chicks  are  allowed  to  run  with  a  hen  that  has 
scaly  legs,  will  they,  too,  become  affected? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  large  should  a  closed  run  be  made  to  accom- 
modate a  hen  and  her  newly  hatched  brood  ? 

ANSWER — About  4  feet  wide,  8  feet  long,  and  2  feet  high,  sides, 
ends  and  top  covered  with  i-inch  mesh  wire. 


QUESTION — Will  a  wild  mother  hen  make  the  chicks  wild  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  61 


Hou 


ses. 


QUESTION — Is  paint  better  than  whitewash  for  the  inside  of  a 
poultry  house? 

ANSWER — No.    Not  as  good. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  objection  to  a  brick  poultry  house? 
ANSWER — Fowls  will  not  thrive  well  in  one. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  have  an  outside  run  with  scratch- 
ing shed  houses  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  can  rats  be  kept  out  of  the  poultry  house? 

ANSWER — Tack  two  feet  wide  wire  netting  all  around  the  sills 
of  the  house,  letting  it  extend  straight  into  the  ground  for  18  inches 
and  then  turn  it  outward  6  inches.  It  should  be  one-inch  mesh. 


QUESTION — How  high  should  the  base-board  be  in  the  fences 
between  the  runs,  and  are  they  really  necessary  at  all  ? 

ANSWER — They  should  extend  from  the  ground  up  two  feet. 
They  prevent  fowls  from  fighting  through  the  fence  and  serve  as 
a  windbreak.  They  are  very  desirable. 


QUESTION — How  high  should  fences  be  to  prevent  fowls  from 
flying  over  them  ? 

ANSWER — Some  fowls  are  easily  confined,  and  others  not.  Make 
the  fences  six  feet  high,  using  a  single  wire  at  the  top  to  stretch  it, 
instead  of  tacking  it  to  a  board.  If  necessary,  stretch  a  single  wire 
across  the  top  of  the  entire  fence  six  inches  above  the  top.  The 
fowls,  in  attempting  to  fly  over,  will  strike  this  wire  and  fall  back. 


QUESTION — In  covering  the  sides  and  ends  of  the  poultry  house 
with  tarred  paper,  should  it  be  placed  upon  the  inside  or  outside  ? 

ANSWER — It  will  be  most  advantageous  to  cover  the  inside 
walls.  By  so  doing  the  paper  will  be  protected  from  the  weather, 
will  last  longer  and  will  aid  in  keeping  the  house  free  from  vermin. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  objection  to  board  floors  ? 
ANSWER — They  get  full  of  cracks,  thereby  causing  the  loss  of 
much  grain,  and  they  form  a  harbor  for  rats  under  the  house, 


62  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  should  be  the  dimensions  of  the  pens  in  the 
poultry  house  for  best  results? 

ANSWER — 10x12  feet  or  12x12  feet  make  very  desirable  pens. 
It  is  better  to  divide  a  large  house  into  this  size  pens  rather  than 
attempt  to  keep  large  numbers  of  hens  together  in  one  pen. 


QUESTION — Can  a  poultry  house  be  maintained  in  a  perfectly 
sanitary  condition  and  free  from  any  disagreeable  odor  ? 

ANSWER — There  is  no  more  necessity  for  filthy  and  ill-smell- 
ing poultry  houses  than  is  the  case  in  any  other  branch  of  live  stock 
breeding.  All  that  is  required  is  to  use  ordinary  diligence  in  keeping 
the  house  clean. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  location  for  the  poultry  house  ? 

ANSWER — An  ideal  location  would  be  on  the  edge  of  an  orchard, 
with  the  house  facing  toward  the  south  or  southeast.  The  land 
should  slope  away  from  the  house  to  prevent  water  draining  toward 
it  and  causing  dampness. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  floor  for  a  poultry  house  ? 

ANSWER — Much  depends  upon  the  location.  The  most  common 
are  board,  cement,  brick  and  earth.  Earth  is  best  if  it  can  be  kept 
dry. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  objections  to  cement  or  brick  floors? 

ANSWER — They  are  too  hard  and  are  unyielding  to  the  scratch- 
ing of  the  fowls.  They  cause  diseases  of  the  foot,  and  particularly 
bumble  foot,  which  is  similar  to  stone  bruise. 


QUESTION — How  hi,eh  from  the  ground  should  the  perches  be? 
ANSWER — Two  feet  is  about  right. 


QUESTION — How  high  should  the  perch  be  from  the  dropping 
board? 

ANSWER — About  10  inches  for  medium-sized  breeds  and  12 
inches  for  Asiatics. 


QUESTION — What  kind  of  a  perch  is  best? 

ANSWER— The   surface  upon  which  the   fowl   rests  should  be 
two  inches  wide,  with  the  edges  slightly  rounded. 


QUESTION — When  there  are  two  or  more  perches  together,  is 
it  better  to  have  each  succeeding  one  higher  than  the  other,  or  should 
they  be  upon  a  level  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  best  to  have  them  upon  a  level,  and  then  there 
will  be  no  fighting  for  the  higher  places, 


QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  size  for  nest  boxes? 
ANSWER — 12x15  inches,  and  8  inches  deep. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  location  for  the  nests  ? 

ANSWER — Under  the  dropping  board,  with  the  entrance  toward 
the  wall,  making  the  entire  back  into  a  hinged  door  to  drop  down 
and  afford  easy  access  for  removing  eggs. 


QUESTION — Are  two-story  houses  a  success  when  the  idea  is 
to  keep  fowls  on  the  second  floor  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  can  dampness  be  kept  out  of  the  ordinary 
cheap  single-wall  poultry  house  ? 

ANSWER — Put  in  cross  pieces  from  side  to  side  at  the  eaves  and 
fill  the  space  above  with  hay  or  straw.  It  will  absorb  the  moisture. 

QUESTION — How  wide  should  the  dropping  boards  be  ? 
ANSWER — 20  inches  for  each  perch. 


QUESTION — What  location  in  the  poultry  house  is  best  for  the 
perches  ? 

ANSWER — In  the  darkest  and  most  secluded  portion  and  away 
from  the  windows  or  other  means  of  draughts. 


QUESTION — Is  it  a  good  plan  to  provide  artificial  heat  for  poul- 
try houses? 

ANSWER — No.  The  fowls  will  thrive  better  without  it.  All 
that  is  needed  is  as  tight  a  house  as  good  lumber  can  make,  but  double 
walls  are  advisable  in  very  cold  climates. 


QUESTION — Is  it  a  good  idea  to  dig  out  about  two  feet  of 
ground  for  the  poultry  house  and  have  the  floor  that  much  below 
the  outside  earth  in  order  to  keep  the  fowls  warmer  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Such  a  house  would  nearly  always  be  too  damp. 
The  floor  of  the  poultry  house  should  be  higher  than  the  surrounding 
earth  outside. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  nesting  material  ? 
ANSWER — Hay  or  straw. 


QUESTION — Should  the  dropping  boards  be  set  on  a  level  or 
slanting  somewhat  in  order  to  make  them  easy  to  clean  ? 

ANSWER — They  should  be  on  a  level,  so  -that  birds  falling  on 
them  from  the  perches  will  be  able  to  stand  upon  them  and  not  slide 
down  in  the  droppings,  thereby  soiling  the  plumage. 


64  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  the  best  method  of  ventilation  ? 
ANSWER — The  doors  and  windows.     Specially  made  ventilators 
in  the  roof,  etc.,  are  not  satisfactory. 


QUESTION — What  disadvantages  are  there,  if  any,  in  having  a 
large  number  of  windows  in  the  poultry  house? 

ANSWER — It  makes  the  house  too  cold  at  night  during  the 
winter. 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  have  glass  skylights  in  the  poultry 
house  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Good  ones  would  be  too  expensive  and  ordinary 
sash  lights  cannot  be  prevented  from  leaking  in  rainy  weather. 


QUESTION — Is  the  scratching  shed  plan  of  house  the  best  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  much  room  on  the  perches  should  be  allowed 
for  each  bird  ? 

ANSWER — In  constructing  perches  allow  10  inches  for  the 
smaller  breeds  and  12  inches  for  the  larger  ones. 


QUESTION — How  much  window  space  should  be  provided  in  a 
house  12  x  12? 

ANSWER — Two  windows  three  feet  square  or  the  equivalent. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  have  a  nest  for  each  hen  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  many  square  feet  of  floor  space  in  the  poultry 
house  should  be  given  each  hen  ? 

ANSWER — The  old  rule  of  ten  square  feet  is  about  right. 


QUESTION — How  much  yard  room  is  required  for  fowls? 
ANSWER — Provide  100  square  feet  for  each  fowl  and  give  as 
much  more  as  possible. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  scratching  shed  plan  of  poultry  house? 

ANSWER — Each  enclosed  room  or  pen  in  the  house  connects 
with  a  shed,  usually  single  walled  and  with  the  front  entirely  open. 
Its  purpose  is  to  counteract  the  effects  of  confinement  in  a  closed 
house  and  at  the  same  time  provide  protection  from  the  weather. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  better  for  the  interior  of  the  poultry 
house,  tarred  paper  or  common  building  paper? 
ANSWER — Tarred  paper. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  65 

QUESTION — How  long  will  tarred  paper  last  on  the  roof  of  a 
poultry  house  ? 

ANSWER — Three  years  if  it  is  painted  or  tarred  each  season  and 
properly  cared  for. 


QUESTION — Is  a  tin  roof  a  good  one  for  the  poultry  house  ? 
ANSWER — No.     It  makes  the  house  too  hot  in  summer. 


QUESTION — What  sort  of  a  cheap  arrangement  could  be  made 
to  temporarily  protect  fowls  on  the  perches  at  night  in  a  freezing 
temperature  ? 

ANSWER — Make  a  curtain  of  burlap  or  sacking  suspended  from 
the  ceiling  of  the  house,  and  lower  it  around  the  perches  at  night. 


QUESTION — How  cold  can  the  poultry  house  be  in  winter  with- 
out injury  to  the  fowls? 

ANSWER — Thirty  degrees  above  zero  is  not  too  low. 


QUESTION — How  far  apart  should  colony  houses  be  located  ? 
ANSWER — About  ten  rods. 


QUESTION — What  size  should  the  colony  houses  be? 
ANSWER — Large  enough  to  hold  -about  25   old   fowls   or  50 
chicks. 


QUESTION — How  large  should  a  poultry  house  be  for  50  adult 
fowls  ?  , 

ANSWER — A  good  size  would  be  16x40  feet,  divided  into  four 
pens. 


QUESTION — Is  it  best  to  have  a  hall  or  passageway  in  the  poul- 
try house? 

ANSWER — Yes,  except  in  colony  houses. 


QUESTION — Are  double  wall  poultry  houses  necessary  in  the 
average  climate? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Where  can  one  purchase  a  book  giving  plans  and 
description  of  all  kinds  of  poultry  houses  ? 

ANSWER — American  Poultry  Journal  Publishing  Co.,  325  Dear- 
born St.,  Chicago,  111.  The  price  of  the  book  is  50  cents. 

QUESTION — Do  common  store  or  dry  goods  boxes  make  suit- 
able houses  for  bantams  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  cover  the  box  houses  for  bantams 
with  tar  paper  or  building  paper  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — When  is  the  best  time  to  build  the  poultry  house  ? 
ANSWER — In  the  spring  or  fall. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  average  cost  of  constructing  scratch- 
ing shed  houses  ? 

ANSWER — About  $2  per  running  foot  of  house. 


QUESTION — What  size  scratching  shed  house  would  answer  for 
12  fowls? 

ANSWER — Roosting  room  7x6  feet  and  scratching  shed  10x7 
feet. 


QUESTION — How  are  movable  poultry  houses  built? 

ANSWER — 1Just  like  any  other,  except  that  the  sills  are  heavy 
and  act  as  runners.  A  horse  is  hitched  to  the  house  and  it  can  be 
moved  any  reasonable  distance  without  injury. 


QUESTION — How  large  should  the  holes  in  the  poultry  house 
be  for  allowing  the  fowls  to  pass  in  and  out  from  the  pens 
to  the  runs  ? 

ANSWER — Twelve  inches  wide  and  14  inches  high. 


QUESTION — In  building  the  poultry  house,  where  posts  must 
be  sunk  in  the  ground  for  sills  to  rest  upon,  what  kind  of  posts  are 
best  and  will  last  longest? 

ANSWER — Cedar. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  way  to  ventilate  the  poultry 
house  ? 

ANSWER — By  leaving  the  doors  and  windows  open  the  required 
length  of  time  during  the  day. 


QUESTION — Is  it  best  to  have  the  nests,  perches,  dropping 
boards,  etc.,  made  of  planed  lumber? 

ANSWER — Yes.  It  does  not  afford  so  much  of  a  hiding  place 
for  lice? 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  pitch  to  a  single  roof? 
ANSWER — Nine  inches  to  the  foot. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  pitch  to  a  tar  and  gravel  roof  ? 
ANSWER — One-half  inch  to  the  foot. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — How  can  a  dust  box  be  provided  at  the  least  ex- 
pense ? 

ANSWER — Procure  two  pieces  of  board,  three  feet  long  and 
twelve  inches  wide.  Select  the  most  convenient  corner  of  the  house 
inside  and  nail  one  of  the  boards  to  the  side  of  the  house  three  feet 
from  the  corner,  allowing  it  to  extend  straight  out  into  the  pen.  Nail 
the  other  in  the  same  manner  to  the  end  wall  three  feet  from  the  cor- 
ner, allowing  it  to  extend  straight  out  and  meet  the  first  one.  Then 
nail  the  two  ends,  and  the  box  is  formed.  It  requires  no  bottom  if 
the  pen  has  an  earth  floor. 


QUESTION — Is  a  long,  narrow  run  preferable  to  a  square  one,  if 
they  both  contain  the  same  number  of  square  feet? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


68  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Di 


iseases. 


QUESTION — Will  colds  ever  disappear  without  treatment? 
ANSWER — Sometimes  slight  ones  will. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  condition  of  a  fowl's  excrement  when 
in  perfect  health? 

ANSWER — It  is  voided  in  cylindrical  masses  and  is  dark  green 
in  color  tipped  with  white. 


QUESTION — What  causes  chicks  to  droop  and  stand  around 
with  their  heads  drawn  in  and  eyes  shut?  They  finally  die. 

ANSWER — Most  chicks  thus  affected  are  infested  with  lice, 
which  are  principally  found  on  the  head  and  throat.  It  is  difficult 
to  revive  very  young  chicks  after  they  reach  the  stage  described. 
One  of  the  very  best  remedies  for  lice  on  young  chicks  is  to  grease 
the  head  and  throat  lightly  with  ordinary  lard  or  vaseline. 


QUESTION — How  can  medicine  in  powdered  form  be  best  ad- 
ministered to  fowls? 

ANSWER — Put  it  in  capsules  or  mix  it  with  water,  make  it  into 
pellets  and  force  the  fowl  to  swallow  it. 


QUESTION — Do  fowls  ever  have  tumors  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  They  are  readily  distinguishable  by  their  ap- 
pearance. Treatment  requires  too  much  time,  and  not  one  time  in  a 
hundred  is  successful.  The  birds  should  be  killed  and  buried. 


QUESTION — What  is  Douglas  Mixture? 

ANSWER — It  is  a  very  strong  medicine  supposed  to  be  effica- 
cious in  cholera  and  similar  diseases.  It  is  made  of  sulphuric  acid 
one-half  ounce  and  copperas  one-half  pound  in  a  half  gallon  of  wa- 
ter. It  is  administered  by  placing  a  tablespoonful  in  the  water  for 
a  dozen  hens  daily. 


QUESTION — What  causes  the  plumage  of  the  head  and  neck  to 
disappear  and  the  parts  assume  a  scab-Hive  condition? 

ANSWER — It  is  caused  by  a  parasite  called  the  depluming  mite. 
Annoint  the  parts  with  lard  and  flowers  of  sulphur,  two  tablespoon- 
fuls  of  the  former  to  a  teaspoonful  of  the  latter.  Carbolated  vase- 
line is  also  good. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  is  the  trouble  with  a  fowl  when  its  comb  turns 
very  dark  for  a  day  or  two  and  then  assumes  its  normal  color  again  ? 

ANSWER — Indigestion  or  other  ailment  which  causes  a  sluggish 
movement  of  the  blood. 


QUESTION — Does  it  pay  to  doctor  sick  fowls? 
ANSWER — Not  unless  the  bird  is  an  extremely  valuable  one  and 
the  keeper  has  the  time  and  inclination  to  treat  it. 


QUESTION — What  causes  the  skin  of  chicks  to  puff  up  in  places 
and  fill  with  air,  and  how  should  the  trouble  be  treated? 

ANSWER— The  exact  cause  has  never  been  discovered,  or  at 
least  a  satisfactory  explanation  has  never  been  given.  Air  accu- 
mulates under  the  skin  and  at  times  will  produce  a  "wind  tumor" 
the  size  of  a  small  walnut.  The  remedy  is  to  prick  the  skin  with 
a  pin  and  allow  the  air  to  escape.  If  it  again  accumulates,  cut  out 
a  small  diamond-shaped  piece  of  the  skin  with  a  pair  of  sharp  scis- 
sors and  annoint  it  with  vaseline. 


QUESTION — What  causes  diarrhoea  in  young  chicks?  The  dis- 
charge is  thin  and  white,  the  down  on  the  posterior  portion  of  the 
body  becomes  matted  and  the  vent  clogged.  The  chick  stands  drawn 
in  and  will  occasionally  waver  and  start  convulsively  in  an  effort 
to  evacuate  the  bowels.  The  efforts  are  apparently  painful  and  are 
sometimes  accompanied  by  a  cry.  They  refuse  to  eat  and  they  die 
in  a  short  time. 

ANSWER — A  fatal  diarrhoea  such  as  described  may  be  caused 
by  different  things.  Lice  are  responsible  for  perhaps  a  majority  of 
cases.  Some  of  the  other  causes  are  the  feeding  of  pepper  and  condi- 
ments, condition  powders  and  other  improper  food,  wet,  raw  and 
sloppy  food  and  mashes,  feeding  too  soon,  a  lack  of  grit,  confinement 
in  close  quarters  where  the  air  is  foul  and  vitiated,  eating  food 
which  has  been  thrown  down  in  their  own  filth,  a  chill  resulting 
from  exposure  to  cold  or  a  too  low  temperature  in  the  brooder,  and  in 
improper  incubation  before  they  are  hatched.  The  remedy  is  to  first 
find  the  cause  and  remove  it  if  possible.  Place  the  chicks  in  a  good 
warm  brooder  and  feed  them  properly.  Some  good  remedies  for 
checking  diarrhoea  are  as  follows :  Boiled  rice  upon  which  has  been 
sprinkled  a  little  cinnamon,  lime  water  to  drink,  boiled  milk,  and 
dry  bran.  Medicinal  remedies  are  a  half  teaspoonful  of  tannic  acid 
in  a  tablespoonful  of  powdered  charcoal  and  mixed  with  sufficient 
soft  food  for  about  30  chicks,  dried  cracker  or  bread  crumbs  upon 
which  has  been  sprinkled  a  little  powdered  chalk,  a  teaspoonful  of 
tincture  of  iron  in  a  quart  of  drinking  water,  one-eighth  grain  of 
powdered  opium  and  two  grains  of  subnitrate  of  bismuth  every  four 
hours  in  the  most  severe  cases. 


70  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  pip  and  the  cure  for  it  ? 

ANSWER — Pip  is  a  dry,  hardened  condition  of  the  tip  end  of  the 
tongue  and  is  caused  by  the  fowl  being  compelled  to  breathe  con- 
tinuously through  the  mouth  by  reason  of  the  colds,  roup  or  other 
disease  which  closes  the  nostrils.  The  remedy  is  to  remove  the 
cause  by  curing  the  diseased  condition  of  the  nostrils.  The  hard 
crust  upon  the  end  of  the  tongue  should  never  be  removed,  as  it  is 
a  part  of  the  tongue.  Apply  vaseline  lightly  to  it. 

QUESTION — What  are  the  symptoms  of  worms  and  what  is  the 
treatment  for  them? 

ANSWER — The  fowl  becomes  dejected  and  emaciated.  It  walks 
with  difficulty  and  may  have  convulsions.  The  appetite  is  abnormal 
and  great  quantities  of  food  will  be  eaten  with  no  benefit  to  the  fowl. 
P'eed  the  bird  sparingly  for  a  day  or  two  and  then  give  it  corn,  wheat 
or  other  grain  which  has  been  soaked  for  from  twelve  to  twenty- 
four  hours  in  turpentine.  Give  no  other  feed  for  a  day  and  ad- 
minister a  liberal  dose  of  Epsom  salts  or  castor  oil.  If  the  fowl  re- 
fuses to  eat  the  grain,  force  a  small  quantity  of  sugar  down  the 
throat  upon  which  has  been  placed  two  or  three  drops  of  turpentine. 
A  piece  of  asafcetida  the  size  of  a  grain  of  corn  is  also  beneficial. 

QUESTION — What  are  the  symptoms  of  diphtheria  and  the  cure 
for  it? 

ANSWER — The  exterior  symptoms  are  generally  a  weakened 
and  prostrated  condition.  The  fowl  stands  drawn  into  a  ball-like 
shape  and  the  plumage  is  more  or  less  ruffled.  The  mouth  and 
throat  are  affected  with  false  membranes  of  a  yellow  or  whitish- 
yellow  color.  The  eyes  and  nasal  passages  may  also  be  affected. 
Sometimes  there  is  loss  of  voice,  and  the  air  passages  in  the  throat 
may  become  entirely  obstructed,  causing  death.  These  accumula- 
tions should  be  removed  even  to  the  extent  of  causing  bleeding,  after 
which  follow  the  treatment  suggested  for  roup  on  another  page. 


QUESTION — What  is  chicken  pox? 

ANSWER — Chicken  pox,  sometimes  called  "sore  head,"  becomes 
manifest  in  the  form  of  scabby  excrescences  on  the  comb,  lobes,  face 
and  the  unfeathered  portions  of  the  head.  The  sores  are  wart-like  in 
appearance  and  may  become  so  numerous  and  serious  as  to  result 
in  .death.  The  disease  is  contagious  and  afflicted  birds  should  be 
immediately  separated  from  the  flock  and  treated.  The  trouble  gen- 
erally makes  its  appearance  in  wet  weather  during  the  summer. 
Damp,  filthy  poultry  houses  increase  the  tendency  toward  the  dis- 
ease, and  in  any  event  is  favorable  to  its  development.  The  prime 
cause  of  it  is  often  mosquito  or  flea  bites  upon  a  fowl  whose  system 
is  not  able  to  throw  off  the  poison. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 71 

QUESTION — What  is  a  good  remedy  for  chicken  pox  ? 

ANSWER — Annoint  the  affected  parts  frequently  with  carbolated 
vaseline,  removing  the  crusts  as  they  soften  and  yield  to  gentle  rub- 
bing. 


QUESTION— Do  fowls  have  epileptic  fits? 

ANSWER — Yes,  occasionally.  The  effects  and  symptoms  are  the 
same  as  in  people.  They  may  be  caused  by  tumors  on  the  brain  and 
in  some  cases  intestinal  worms.  Treatment  is  unsatisfactory,  but  in 
mild  cases  3  grains  of  biomide  of  potash  given  twice  a  day  is  some- 
times beneficial. 


QUESTION — What  causes  a  hen  to  "bag  down  behind"  and  what 
is  the  cure? 

ANSWER — Sometimes  hens  become  so  fat  that  the  posterior  por- 
tion of  the  body  almost  drags  the  ground,  which  condition  is  com- 
monly termed  "bagging  down  behind."  The  flesh  becomes  diseased 
and  is  red  and  inflamed.  In  chronic  cases  the  roots  of  the  feathers  are 
affected  and  the  plumage  drops  off.  leaving  the  bird  in  a  most  un- 
sightly condition.  When  the  trouble  has  not  reached  the  incurable 
stage  the  remedy  is  to  feed  sparingly,  giving  mostly  green  food  and 
compelling  the  bird  to  scratch  for  all  the  grain  given  it.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  apply  vaseline  daily  to  the  exposed  portion  of  the  body. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  cause  of  little  chicks  becoming  clogged 
up  behind  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  caused  by  bowel  trouble,  which  may  be  the  result 
of  errors  in  feeding  or  lice  or  improper  brooding,  in  which  case  it 
is  generally  lack  of  sufficient  heat.  Examine  them  for  lice  and  feed 
them  boiled  rice  with  a  little  lime  water  to  drink. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  cure  for  a  frostbitten  comb  ? 

ANSWER — There  is  no  remedy  which  will  restore  the  comb  to  its 
normal  condition  if  treatment  is  delayed  till  the  comb  turns  black. 
The  best  that  can  be  done  is  to  annoint  it  frequently  with  carbolated 
vaseline  or  other  like  ointment. 


QUESTION — What  causes  swollen  eyes  in  fowls,  and  what  will 
cure  them? 

ANSWER — Roup  in  some  of  its  stages  is  generally  the  cause. 
A  slight  cold  may  at  times  settle  in  the  eye  and  cause  it  to  swell. 
This  is  especially  true  if  a  fowl  roosts  near  a  crack  in  the  wall  of  the 
roosting  quarters  where  the  wind  blowing  through  will  strike  the 
head  and  eye.  Bathe  the  eye  with  equal  parts  of  warm  water  and 
vinegar  and  annoint  it  with  carbolated  vaseline.  See  question  rela- 
tive to  roup. 


72  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  Scaly  Leg? 

ANSWER — Scaly  Leg  is  that  roughened  condition  of  the  legs 
caused  by  a  minute  parasite  burrowing  beneath  the  scales,  forcing 
them  out  from  the  leg  by  an  accumulation  of  a  white,  crusty  sub- 
stance beneath  them.  The  color  of  the  leg  is  destroyed  and  in  cases 
of  long  standing  the  legs  and  scales  are  entirely  covered  with  the 
growth. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  cause  of  grain  passing  through  fowls 
whole  ? 

ANSWER — A  weakness  of  the  digestive  organs  usually  superin- 
duced by  a  lack  of  grit. 

QUESTION — What  is  a  good  remedy  for  Scaly  Leg? 

ANSWER — A  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  lard  and  common  kero- 
sene or  coal  oil  should  be  applied  to  the  legs  daily  until  all  the  accu- 
mulated crusty  formation  has  been  removed.  Then  apply  carbolated 
vaseline  once  every  two  or  three  days  till  the  new  scales  begin  to 
grow. 


QUESTION — What  is  roup  and  the  cure  for  it  ? 

ANSWER — Roup  is  one  of  the  most  contagious  and  destructive 
diseases  among  fowls.  It  is  a  germ  disease,  and  while  contagion  is 
generally  the  medium  by  which  it  is  spread,  it  oftentimes  developes 
from  aggravated  colds  which  have  been  allowed  to  reach  the  stage 
where  they  are  properly  termed  contagious  catarrh.  The  symptoms 
of  roup  in  its  early  stages  are  very  similar  to  those  of 'catarrh.  There 
is  a  watery  discharge  from  the  nostrils  and  breathing  is  difficult. 
Later  the  discharge  becomes  thicker,  the  nostrils  are  almost  or  en- 
tirely obstructed  and  the  breathing  is  almost  wholly  through  the 
mouth.  There  is  frequent  sneezing  and  shaking  of  the  head  in  at- 
tempting to  clear  the  nostrils.  The  plumage  is  roughened,  the  comb 
turns  very  dark,  there  is  much  fever  and  loss  of  appetite.  The  fowl 
stands  around  listlessly,  with  head  drawn  in  or  carried  hidden  under 
the  front  portion  of  the  wing.  After  the  disease  is  thoroughly  de- 
veloped there  is  a  very  offensive  odor  present,  and  this  a  never-failing 
distinguishing  feature  of  roup.  The  watery  secretion  previously  re- 
ferred to  becomes  thick,  yellowish  and  profuse.  It  not  only  obstructs 
the  nasal  passages  but  accumulates  in  the  throat  and  in  the  space  or 
cavity  in  the  head  surrounding  the  eyes.  It  thus  causes  great  swell- 
ing and  the  eyes  are  sometimes  swollen  entirely  shut,  forcing  the 
eyeball  out  of  the  socket  and  destroying  the  sight.  The  fowl  becomes 
emaciated,  weak  and  exhausted,  and  finally  dies  unconscious.  Roup 
in  the  most  advanced  stages  is  difficult  to  cure.  Unless  the  bird  is 
very  valuable  and  the  attendant  has  ample  time  to  work  with  it,  the 
best  course  is  to  kill  and  bury  it.  The  disease  should  be  prevented 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  73 

by  good  strengthening  food,  plenty  of  exercise  and  clean,  well-venti- 
lated houses,  free  from  draughts.  The  afflicted  birds  should  be  given 
an  internal  remedy  of  a  stimulating  and  tonic  nature.  A  good  one 
is  as  follows :  Carbonate  of  Iron  2  drams,  Gentian  Root  4  drams, 
Cayenne  Pepper  I  dram,  Flour  of  Sulphur  2  drams,  Hyposulphite 
of  Sodium  i  dram,  Salicylate  of  Sodium  I  dram.  These  should  be 
well  pulverized  and  thoroughly  mixed.  Four  grains  should  be  given 
for  a  dose  once  a  day.  Wet  it  and  make  into  pellets  or  place  it  in 
capsules  and  force  the  fowl  to  swallow  them.  It  may  be  mixed  with 
the  mash  if  the  fowl  will  eat.  The  mouth  and  nostrils  should  be 
washed  once  or  twice  a  day  with  a  solution  of  Boric  acid,  15  grains 
to  an  ounce  of  water.  If  the  eyes  are  closed  or  to  clear  them  of  the 
sticky  fluid  generally  present  bathe  them  with  salt  water,  a  half  tea- 
spoonful  of  salt  in  a  pint  of  water.  Sometimes  it  becomes  necessary 
to  open  the  swellings  on  the  head  and  remove  the  pus  which  has 
accumulated.  This  should  be  done  with  a  very  sharp  instrument, 
and  the  wounds  kept  filled  and  treated  with  antiseptic  powder  such  as 
iodoform.  The  throat,  nostrils  and  cleft  in  the  roof  of  the  mouth 
connecting  with  the  nostrils  should  be  treated  two  or  three  times  daily 
by  injecting  antiseptic  solutions  into  them.  Many  remedies  have 
been  found  efficacious  and  cures  have  been  effected  with  common 
coal  oil  or  kerosene,  but  it  is  better  to  dilute  it  with  half  sweet  oil. 
Peroxide  of  Hydrogen  is  perhaps  the  best.  It  is  cheap  and  of  un- 
doubted merit.  Whatever  is  used  should  be  forced  well  to  the  affected 
parts  with  a  syringe,  medicine  dropper,  or  even  a  small  oil  can  such 
as  used  on  ordinary  sewing  machines.  Some  bad  cases  have  been 
cured  with  Mexican  Mustang  liniment  applied  in  this  way. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  symptoms  of  cholera  and  a  cure  for  it? 

ANSWER — Genuine  fowl  cholera  is  not  often  found.  It  is  often 
confounded  with  some  forms  of  indigestion  that  produce  somewhat 
the  same  symptoms,and  are  generally  fatal.  Cholera  proves  fatal 
in  about  3  or  4  days  and  treatment  is  useless.  As  good  a  remedy  as 
any,  or  one  that  will  be  as  apt  to  produce  results,  is  one  dram  of 
hydrochloric  acid  in  a  quart  of  water.  Give  a  teaspoonful  twice  a 
day.  One  of  the  symptoms  is  loss  of  appetite,  but  in  exceptional 
cases  it  has  been  observed  that  the  fowl  will  eat  nearly  to  the  time 
it  dies.  One  of  the  first  symptoms  noted  is  the  yellow  coloration 
of  that  part  of  the  excrement  voided  by  the  kidneys,  which  in  a 
healthy  fowl  is  white,  but  this  is  present  in  other  diseases,  and  in  itself 
is  not  an  infallible  indication  of  cholera.  The  droppings  are  con- 
stant and  are  thin  and  watery,  changing  from  yellow  to  green.  The 
bird  droops  and  falls  into  a  drowsy  condition,  from  which  it  is  with 
difficulty  aroused.  The  crop  is  sometimes  distended  and  has  the 
appearance  of  being  paralyzed.  There  is  great  weakness  and  loss 
of  flesh,  an4  the  bird  falls  over  at  the  slightest  touch,  The  diarrhoea 


74  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS. 

is  severe  from  the  start,  and  the  comb  turns  pale  and  seemingly  blood- 
less. In  some  cases  the  bird  dies  in  convulsions.  A  postmortem 
examination  shows  the  gall  bladder  distended  and  the  liver  greatly 
enlarged  and  dark  green  in  color.  Cholera  is  a  germ  disease  and  is 
generally  communicated  by  afflicted  birds  contaminating  the  ground 
with  their  droppings  and  those  coming  in  contact  with  food  or  grit 
taken  by  other  birds.  The  wisest  course  to  pursue  in  case  of  cholera 
is  to  isolate  all  afflicted  birds,  kill  and  bury  them  and  thoroughly 
clean  and  disinfect  the  houses  and  runs.  As  a  disinfectant  use  one 
pound  of  carbolic  acid  in  10  quarts  of  warm  water.  Use  a  sprinkling 
can  such  as  is  used  in  sprinkling  flowers  and  apply  liberal  quantities 
of  the  solution  once  a  day  for  at  least  a  week. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  symptoms,  the  cause  and  the  cure  for 
Bumble  Foot? 

ANSWER — Bumble  Foot  is  a  form  of  stone  bruise.  It  is  gener- 
ally caused  by  constant  confinement  upon  hard  floors  or  runs,  or 
may  be  caused  by  the  fowl  jumping  on  a  hard  surface  from  the 
perch  or  other  high  place ;  extremely  narrow  perches  will  also  cause 
it.  In  mild  cases  the  bottom  of  the  foot  is  swollen  and  is  inflamed 
and  noticeably  painful.  The  foot  should  be  held  in  warm  water  for 
fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  keeping  the  water  as  warm  as  the  hand 
can  bear,  after  which  apply  boric  acid  ointment,  which  is  made  by 
adding  one  part  boric  acid  to  five  parts  vaseline.  Repeat  this  once 
each  day  for  three  days  and  keep  the  bird  confined  on  soft  earth  or 
in  a  coop  with  some  sort  of  soft  bedding.  In  aggravated  cases,  ab- 
scesses form  and  the  swelling  must  be  opened.  Soak  the  foot  in 
warm  water  as  above  described,  then  with  a  very  sharp  knife  make 
an  X-shaped  incision  and  clean  the  wound  thoroughly  with  luke- 
warm water.  Dust  it  with  iodoform  and  apply  the  boric  acid  oint- 
ment. Bandage  the  foot  with  cotton  and  dress  it  daily  as  above, 
keeping  the  fowl  confined  till  the  wound  has  healed. 


QUESTION — What  causes  white  crusts  to  form  on  the  comb  and 
what  is  the  cure? 

ANSWER — This  condition  of  the  comb  is  known  as  white  comb, 
and  if  not  checked  will  cause  the  comb  to  crack  and  fall  to  one  side, 
destroying  a  portion  of  it  in  the  same  manner  as  a  cancer.  It  may 
also  spread  to  the  skin  of  the  head  and  other  parts  of  the  fowl.  The 
growth  is  of  a  fungus  nature  and  may  be  communicated  by  contact. 
As  much  of  the  crust  as  can  be  scraped  off  without  causing  bleeding 
should  be  removed.  Apply  tincture  of  iodine  daily,  also  an  ointment 
made  of  I  part  of  red  oxide  of  mercury  to  8  parts  of  vaseline.  If 
the  case  is  too  severe  to  yield  to  this  treatment  apply  an  ointment 
made  of  3  grains  of  nitrate  of  silver  thoroughly  mixed  with  a  half 
ounce  of  vaseline. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  75 


QUESTION — Wrhat  causes  leg  weakness  in  young  birds? 

ANSWER — Improper  heating  of  the  brooder  and  too  much  bot- 
tom heat  will  cause  it.  Birds  that  grow  too  fast  are  often  tempora- 
rily afflicted.  Heavy  feeding  for  forced  growth  will  also  pro- 
duce it. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  cure  for  leg  weakness? 

ANSWER — The  main  point  is  to  remove  the  cause.  Feed  plenty 
of  green  food  and  such  grains  as  rice  and  barley.  Avoid  condi- 
ments and  stimulating  food.  Give  10  grains  of  baking  soda  in  a 
pint  of  water. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  trouble  with  fowls  when  they  become 
lame  from  no  apparent  cause? 

ANSWER — The  trouble  is  generally  of  a  rheumatic  nature. 
Fowls  are  very  susceptible  to  rheumatism  when  exposed  to  cold  and 
dampness,  and  especially  when  these  conditions  prevail  in  addition 
to  filthy  houses  and  poor  ventilation.  Give  25  grains  of  Epsom  salts 
and  place  35  grains  of  baking  soda  in  each  quart  of  drinking  water. 
Give  2  grains  of  salicylic  acid  twice  a  clay  and  apply  carbolated  vase- 
line or  some  good  liniment  to  the  affected  joints. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  cause,  prevention  and  cure  of  gapes  ? 

ANSWER — The  best  thing  to  do  is  to  adopt  preventive  measures, 
by  confining  all  the  affected  chicks  where  they  cannot  mingle  with  the 
remainder  of  the  flock.  This  disease  is  scattered  by  the  fowls  com- 
ing in  contact  with  the  worms  that  have  been  coughed  up  by  the 
afflicted  chicks  and  that  have  found  lodgment  in  feeding  and  drinking 
vessels  or  on  the  ground  itself.  The  primary  cause  is  often  the  eat- 
ing of  angle  worms,  although  in  some  localities  these  worms  do  not 
affect  the  chicks.  The  runs  and  houses  in  which  the  chicks  have 
been  confined  should  be  well  cleaned  and  disinfected  with  a  5  per 
cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid.  For  treatment  of  the  afflicted  birds 
take  a  feather  strip  off  the  web  to  within  an  inch  of  the  end,  and 
moisten  it  well  with  oil  of  turpentine.  Hold  the  chick  firmly  in  the 
hand,  force  the  mouth  open  and  when  the  wind-pipe  is  open  for 
breathing  insert  the  feather,  giving  it  a  quick  turn  and  removing  it 
promptly.  Two  or  three  applications  of  this  will  bring  the  chicks 
around  all  right.  A  good  internal  treatment  is  two  or  three  feeds 
of  garlic  mixed  with  soft  feed  in  a  proportion  of  one  good-sized 
bulb  of  garlic  to  about  ten  chicks.  Camphor  in  the  form  of  pills  is 
also  a  good  remedy,  a  dose  being  one-half  to  one  grain  twice  a  day. 


QUESTION — How  can  a  lopped  comb  be  straightened? 
ANSWER — There  is  no  remedy  for  it- 


76  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  matter  with  a  bird  having  the  following 
symptoms:  There  is  an  appearance  of  giddiness  and  the  head  is 
thrown  up  and  back  or  the  neck  may  be  thrown  to  one  side.  The 
walk  is  unsteady  and  the  bird  may  go  backward  or  sideways  or  in 
a  circle.  In  some  cases  it  falls  to  the  ground  fluttering  and  makes 
convulsive  movements? 

ANSWER — The  trouble  is  congestion  of  the  brain.  It  may  be 
caused  by  overfat  condition  or  as  the  result  of  fright  or  indigestion. 
Sometimes  worms  in  the  intestines  will  cause  it.  Male  birds  during 
the  breeding  season  are  especially  subject  to  attack.  It  may  be  the 
result  of  blows  upon  the  head,  or  a  complication  of  infectious  diseases 
or  exposure  to  the  hot  rays  of  the  sun.  The  treatment  for  the 
trouble  is  to  apply  cold  water  to  the  head  till  it  is  thoroughly  cool. 
Confine  the  bird  in  a  cool,  shady  place,  and  if  a  breeding  male,  take  it 
out  of  the  breeding  pen  for  a  week.  Give  a  dose  of  two  teaspoonfuls 
of  castor  oil  and  let  the  food  consist  principally  of  green  foods.  Give 
three  grains  of  Bromide  of  Potassium  three  times  a  day,  dissolved 
in  a  tablespoonful  of  water. 


QUESTION — What  is  wrong  with  a  fowl  when  it  shakes  or  jerks 
the  head  violently  and  is  seemingly  unable  to  swallow  any  food  at 
all? 

ANSWER — In  rare  cases  a  grain  of  corn  or  other  such  article 
may  become  fastened  in  the  upper  part  of  the  digestive  tract  and  if 
the  above  symptoms  are  the  only  ones  noticeable  that  is  probably  the 
trouble.  Raise  the  tongue  and  if  the  obstruction  is  found  remove  it. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  symptoms  of  vent  gleet  and  the 
cure? 

ANSWER — There  is  a  frequent  passage  of  droppings  in  small 
quantities  and  the  parts  are  dry  and  swollen  with  fever.  The  dis- 
charge is  at  first  watery,  but  soon  becomes  white  and  very  offensive. 
It  collects  upon  the  feathers  and  irritates  the  skin  and  destroys  the 
plumage.  The  inflamed  skin  around  the  vent  may  become  ulcerous. 
For  treatment  procure  a  sufficient  quantity  of  quite  warm  water  to 
immerse  the  lower  part  of  the  body  and  dissolve  a  tablespoonful  of 
bicarbonate  of  soda  in  each  quart  of  water.  Hold  the  bird  in  this 
water  for  a  half  hour  each  day,  and  after  removing  it  dry  the  parts 
and  inject  a  tablespoonful  of  the  following  mixture — glycerine  two 
ounces,  boric  acid  one  and  one-half  drams,  morphia  sulphate  one 
grain  and  water  a  half  pint.  A  small  piece  of  cotton  may  be  saturated 
with  the  remedy  and  inserted  into  the  vent  twice  a  day,  allowing  it  to 
remain  there  till  the  bird  expels  it.  If  sores  or  ulcers  form  upon  the 
skin  outside  keep  them  dusted  well  with  iodoform.  The  disease  is  con- 
tagious and  an  afflicted  bird  should  be  at  once  isolated  from  the 
remainder  of  the  flock. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  77 

QUESTION — What  could  cause  apparently  healthy  birds  to  die 
suddenly  without  any  ascertainable  cause? 

ANSWER — It  is  usually  apoplexy.  It  is  the  result  of  a  rupture 
of  one  of  the  blood  vessels  of  the  brain,  and  may  be  caused  by  over- 
feeding, or  too  stimulating  food,  or  injuries.  It  may  also  result  from 
violent  exertion  or  straining  in  laying  eggs.  Hens  are  often  found 
dead  in  the  nest  or  under  the  perches  from  this  cause.  There  is  no 
remedy,  as  the  bird  dies  before  the  trouble  is  discovered. 


QUESTION — What  disease  is  indicated  by  the  following  symp- 
toms,— rapid  and  extreme  emaciation  till  the  bird  is  almost  a  living 
skeleton.  The  comb  and  wattles  are  so  pale  that  they  are  almost 
white.  The  appetite  is  generally  voracious,  and  in  the  latter  stages 
the  bird  is  quite  dull  and  sleepy  ? 

ANSWER — The  disease  is  termed  "going  light"  and  is  really  con- 
sumption. There  is  no  cure  for  it.  It  is  sometimes  contagious,  and 
as  soon  as  a  bird  is  discovered  in  this  condition  it  should  be  killed 
and  buried. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  symptoms  of  "egg  bound"  and  the 
remedy  for  it? 

ANSWER — The  fowl  makes  repeated  unsuccessful  attempts  to 
pass  the  egg  and  becomes  listless  with  joughened  plumage.  A  hard 
lump  may  be  felt  in  the  posterior  portion  of  the  body.  Inject  a 
small  quantity  of  sweet  oil  and  endeavor  to  remove  the  egg  by 
pressure.  Sometimes  it  can  only  be  removed  by  pricking  the  shell 
and  allowing  the  contents  to  escape,  after  which  remove  the  shell 
with  the  fingers.  In  aggravated  cases  the  egg  may  break  through 
the  weakened  tissue  and  escape  into  the  abdominal  cavity,  in  which 
case  the  bird  should  be  killed. 


QUESTION — Can  a  hen  be  seriously  sick  and  continue  to  lay? 
ANSWER — Yes,  for  a  while. 


QUESTION — What  causes  a  bird  to  throw  the  head  and  neck 
forward  and  upward.  The  action  seems  to  be  an  unsuccessful  effort 
to  swallow  something. 

ANSWER — If  no  other  symptoms  of  disease  are  apparent,  it  is 
very  probable  that  something  too  large  for  the  bird  to  swallow  has 
becomie  lodged  in  the  throat.  This  sometimes  happens  and  the 
remedy  is  to  remove  the  obstruction  by  gentle  pressure  and  rubbing, 
forcing  it  either  out  of  the  mouth  or  into  the  crop,  the  latter  if  there 
is  reason  to  believe  that  the  object  is  in  the  nature  of  food  that  can 
be  properly  taken  care  of  by  the  crop,  and  the  former  if  the  obstruc- 
tion appears  to  be  bones  or  other  hard  and  indigestible  matter  of 
extraordinary  size. 


78  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  the  cause,  the  symptoms,  and  the  cure  for 
bronchitis  ? 

ANSWER — The  primary  cause  is  generally  a  cold,  but  it  may  be 
the  result  of  inhaling  irritating  vapors  or  dust.  In  severe  cases  there 
is  loss  of  appetite  and  the  bird  presents  a  generally  dull  appearance. 
The  breathing  is  somewhat  faster  than  normal  and  there  is  whistling, 
wheezing  sound,  which  develops  into  a  rattling  or  gurgling  noise  by 
reason  of  the  air  passing  through  the  mucous.  Treatment  is  not 
very  successful.  Give  three  drops  of  syrup  of  ipecac  twice  a  day 
and  force  the  bird  to  inhale  the  steam  from  boiling  water  in  which 
has  been  placed  a  teaspoonful  of  carbolic  acid  to  a  gallon  of  water. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  cause,  the  cure  and  symptoms  of  ca- 
tarrh of  the  crop? 

ANSWER — There  are  several  causes,  among  which  are  the  taking 
into  the  crop  of  irritating,  indigestible  substances,  overloading  the 
crop,  eating  decomposed  meat  or  other  putrid  articles  and  the  pres- 
ence of  parasitic  worms  in  the  crop,  especially  maggots.  The  organ 
becomes  practically  paralyzed  and  much  distended.  The  contents 
decompose  and  ferment  and  an  offensive  liquid  and  gas  accumulates 
as  will  be  indicated  by  feeling  the  crop  and  the  belching  of  the  bird. 
The  crop  should  be  emptied  by  holding  the  bird  by  the  legs  head 
downward  and  gently  kneading  the  organ,  thereby  forcing  the  con- 
tents out  through  the  mouth.  Keep  the  bird  without  food  for  twelve 
to  eighteen  hours  and  then  feed  lightly  of  easily  digested  foods.  As 
soon  as  the  crop  is  emptied  give  one  grain  of  bicarbonate  of  soda 
and  one  and  one-half  grains  of  subnitrate  of  bismuth  in  a  dessert- 
spoonful of  water  and  repeat  the  dose  once  a  day  for  three  days. 


QUESTION — Are  fowls  subject  to  diseases  of  the  liver;  if  so 
what  are  the  symptoms  and  cure? 

ANSWER — There  are  several  forms  of  liver  disease.  They  origi- 
nate principally  from  lack  of  exercise,  incorrect  methods  of  feeding 
and  a  continued  diet  of  grain,  especially  corn  and  other  fat  forming 
foods.  The  disease  can  seldom  be  detected  till  too  late  to  cure  it. 
Treatment  is  not  profitable.  The  usual  symptoms  are  loss  of  appe- 
tite, sluggishness  and  a  yellowish  color  in  the  face. 


QUESTION — Do  fowls  have  Dropsy? 

ANSWER — Yes,  the  symptoms  are  very  pale  comb,  a  generally 
enfeebled  condition  and  diminished  appetite.  The  most  prominent 
indication  is  the  enlargement  of  the  abdomen,  which  is  distended  till 
it  nearly  reaches  the  ground  and  is  soft  and  yielding  to  the  touch 
as  though  it  were  a  fleshy  bag  rilled  with  liquid.  There  is  no  remedy 
for  the  disease.  Birds  affected  should  be  killed  as  soon  as  the  nature 
of  the  disease  is  suspected, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  79 

QUESTION — What  is  the  proper  treatment  for  "Crop  Bound  ?" 
ANSWER — Mild  cases  can  be  cured  by  giving  a  tablespoonful  of 
sweet  oil  and  one  or  two  tablespoon fuls  of  quite  warm  water,  aftei 
which  knead  the  crop  gently  and  force  the  contents  out  of  the  mouth, 
holding  the  bird  head  downward.  If  the  crop  is  hard  and  much  dis- 
tended and  the  above  treatment  fails  to  give  relief,  an  operation  is 
necessary  to  remove  the  obstruction.  Make  an  incision  in  the  outer 
skin  with  a  very  sharp  knife.  It  should  be  near  the  top  and  should 
be  up  and  down,  not  more  than  two  inches  in  length.  Force  the  crop 
to  one  side  before  making  an  incision  in  it,  so  that  when  the  wounds 
are  sewed  up  the  one  in  the  crop  proper  will  not  be  opposite  the  one 
in  the  outer  skin,  but  will  be  entirely  covered  by  the  skin.  After 
making  the  second  incision  remove  the  contents  of  the  crop,  after 
which  cleanse  it  thoroughly  with  warm  water  in  which  has  been 
placed  a  small  quantity. of  any  good  antiseptic  solution,  four  drops 
of  carbolic  acid  to  an  ounce  of  water  will  answer  the  purpose.  Stitch 
the  cuts  with  silk  thread,  being  particular  not  to  fasten  the  crop  to 
the  outer  skin.  The  wounds  should  heal  in  five  or  six  days.  Give  no 
food  at  all  for  about  twelve  hours,  and  then  begin  feeding  by  giving 
milk  for  a  day  in  small  quantities  at  a  time,  then  allowing  soft  foods, 
principally  mashes,  and  in  four  or  five  days  whole  grain  and  the 
regular  diet  may  >be  given. 


QUESTJON — What  is  a  good  remedy  to  apply  to  frozen  combs  or 
other  parts  of  the  fowl  where  the  object  is  to  reduce  inflammation? 
ANSWER — Listerine. 


QUESTION — What  is  Black  Head  in  turkeys? 

ANSWER — Black  Head  is  a  disease  of  the  digestive  organs  and 
the  liver  in  which  one  of  the  most  prominent  symptoms  is  a  deep 
discoloration  of  the  head.  Treatment  is  unsuccessful  except  in  the 
early  stages  of  the  disease.  Give  the  following  three  times  a  day: 
Hyposulphite  of  sodium,  3  grains ;  sulphate  of  iron,  I  grain ;  sulphur, 
10  grains,  and  sulphate  of  quinine,  I  grain.  Among  the  symptoms 
are  loss  of  appetite,  weakness,  emaciation  and  severe  diarrhoea.  The 
disease  is  caused  by  a  micro-parasite  and  is  contagious  through  the 
droppings  coming  in  contact  with  food  or  water.  Sick  birds  should 
be  immediately  isolated  and  the  yards  and  houses  be  disinfected  with 
a  five  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid. 


QUESTION — Wrhat  is  the  cause  and  cure  of  Limber  Neck  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  caused  by  the  action  of  maggots  in  the  crop. 
They  are  usually  taken  into  the  crop  by  eating  the  decaying  carcass 
of  animals  or  birds.  Give  drinking  water  into  which  has  been 
placed  a  teaspoonful  of  Hyposulphite  of  Soda  to  a  quart  of  water. 
Give  also  a  piece  of  Asafoetida  the  size  of  a  pea. 


&0  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Can  a  frozen  comb  be  saved  if  it  is  affected  so  bad 
that  it  is  very  black  ? 

ANSWER — Only  in  exceptional  cases.  Treatment  should  be 
given,  however,  to  relieve  soreness  of  the  live  parts. 


QUESTION — What  is  Prolapsus  of  the  Oviduct? 

ANSWER — This  trouble  is  found  principally  in  old  hens.  It  may 
be  the  result  of  overfeeding,  too  stimulating  food,  the  excessive  feed- 
ing of  egg  foods  and  condition  powder,  inflammation  of  the  oviduct, 
constipation  or  straining  to  expel  large  eggs.  A  large  red  colored 
mass  protrudes  from  the  vent,  becomes  inflamed  and  gangrene  may 
result.  Treatment  should  commence  in  the  early  stages  of  the  d'~- 
ease.  An  examination  should  be  made  with  a  view  to  ascertaining  if 
an  egg  has  become  fastened  in  the  passage,  in  which  case  treat  as 
recommended  on  another  page  for  Egg  Bound.  Give  4  drops  of 
fluid  extract  of  ergot.  Apply  lard  or  vaseline  to  the  parts  and  re- 
turn them  by  gentle  pressure. 


QUESTION — How  can  excessive  fat  cause  the  death  of  a  fowl  ? 

ANSWER — The  fat  extends  to  the  liver  and  destroys  the  cells 
therein.  The  organ  is  much  weakened  and  unable  to  confine  the 
blood  in  it  and  perform  its  natural  functions.  The  result  is  the 
bursting  of  it  and  the  release  of  a  large  amount  of  blood  and  the 
fowl  which  might  be  apparently  in  perfect  health  dies  in  a  few 
moments,  usually  with  a  few  convulsive  movements. 


QUESTION — Is  the  condition  of  the  comb  a  reliable  indication  of 
the  health  of  a  fowl? 

ANSWER — Yes.  If  the  comb  is  not  its  natural  color,  there  is 
something  wrong  with  the  bird. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  good  remedy  for  constipation  in  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — Ten  drops  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  in  a  pint  of  drink- 
ing water. 


QUESTION — Will  the  various  drugs  and  medicines  affect  fowls 
in  the  same  manner  as  human  beings? 

ANSWER — Yes.    The  dose  should  be  smaller. 


QUESTION — Will  pools  of  stagnant  water  around  the  poultry 
yard  spread  disease? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — In  what  quantities  should  quinine  be  given  to  fowls 
for  colds? 

ANSWER — A  one-grain  capsule  each  day. 


»F  THE  \ 

(UNIVERSITY) 

V  OF  J 

X»CALIFO«^< 

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QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 81 

QUESTION — Are  diseases  of  various  kinds  common  in  the  poul- 
try yard  even  when  good  care  is  taken  of  the  fowls? 

ANSWER — No.  Disease  is  practically  unknown  except  where 
there  is  neglect,  improper  feeding  and  filth. 

QUESTION — What  causes  the  edges  of  the  comb  and  wattles  to 
turn  purplish  red  ? 

ANSWER — Indigestion. 


QUESTION — What  causes  young  chicks  to  go  around  with  their 
wings  drooping  and  seemingly  exhausted? 
ANSWER — Heat  and  lice. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  plan  to  detect  colds  and  roup  in 
the  very  earliest  stages? 

ANSWER — Go  into  the  poultry  house  at  night  after  the  fowls 
have  all  gone  to  roost,  and  listen  for  wheezing  and  sniffling  sounds. 
All  birds  thus  noted  should  be  removed  from  the  flock  and  immedi- 
ately treated. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Incubators  and  Brooders. 

NATURAL    AND   ARTIFICIAL   INCUBATION   AND   BROODING. 

QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  buy  an  incubator  when  one  is 
breeding  on  a  small  scale  ? 

ANSWER — An  incubator  is  a  desirable  addition  to  the  poultry- 
man's  plant,  whether  he  has  many  or  few  fowls.  Machines  of  small 
capacity  may  be  purchased  cheaply  and  they  are  always  ready  for 
service.  With  them,  eggs  may  be  hatched  at  any  season  of  the  year; 
one  does  not  have  to  depend  upon  sitting  hens,  and  eggs  hatched 
in  an  incubator  do  not  produce  chicks  covered  with  lice  as  is  the 
case  when  hatched  by  hens. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  best — hot  air  or  hot  water  incubators  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  very  generally  acknowledged  that  hot  air  ma- 
chines are  the  best,  and  while  both  kinds  have  produced  good  re- 
sults, nearly  all  high-grade  machines  are  heated  by  hot  air  and  the 
preponderance  of  evidence  is  in  their  favor. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  effect  of  too  high  and  too  low  temper- 
ature for  long  periods  ? 

ANSWER — If  it  runs  most  of  the  time  below  103  the  hatch  will 
be  delayed  and  the  chicks  will  come  out  about  the  22d  day.  If  it 
runs  too  high  the  chicks  will  come  out  sooner  than  they  should. 
Chicks  hatched  under  these  conditions  are  handicapped  greatly  and 
require  much  special  care  and  special  attention  to  mature  them 
properly. 


QUESTION — Is  it  not  necessary  to  provide  moisture  in  incubators 
in  exceptionally  dry  climates,  even  though  the  machine  is  supposed 
to  be  a  no-moisture  one ;  and  if  so,  what  is  the  best  method  of  apply- 
ing it  ? 

ANSWER — There  are  times  when  moisture  is  beneficial,  no  mat- 
ter what  machine  is  used.  It  may  be  supplied  by  placing  a  wet 
sponge  in  the  machine,  or  the  eggs  may  be  liberally  sprinkled  with 
water.  In  either  case  the  water  should  be  warm. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  best  incubator  on  the  market? 

ANSWER — No  one  incubator  can  be  said  to  be  better  in  all 
respects  than  any  other.  Any  of  the  high-grade  machines  on  the 
market  will  do  the  work  claimed  for  them  and  will  give  satisfaction. 
There  is  no  more  a  best  incubator  than  there  is  a  best  breed. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  S3 

QUESTION — Is  it  really  necessary  to  remove  the  unfertile  eggs 
from  the  incubator,  or  may  they  be  allowed  to  remain  during  the 
hatch  ? 

ANSWER — Unfertile  eggs  and  those  containing  dead  germs 
should  be  tested  out  frequently.  A  fertile  egg  generates  heat;  an 
unfertile  egg  does  not  generate  heat  and  absorbs  the  heat  from  the 
fertile  eggs  surrounding  it.  These  latter  do  not,  therefore,  get  as 
much  heat  as  do  the  fertile  eggs  surrounded  by  fertile  eggs,  and 
while  the  thermometer  may  show  the  right  temperature,  some  of  the 
eggs  may  be  warmer  than  others. 


QUESTION — Can  the  incubator  be  started  with,  say,  half  its 
capacity  of  eggs  and  the  others  added  later? 

ANSWER — It  can  be  done,  but  very  poor  results  will  be  obtained. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  time  during  incubation  when  the  germ 
in  the  egg  is  more  susceptible  to  injury  and  death  by  exposure  to 
cold  or  too  much  heat  ? 

ANSWER — From  the  eighth  to  the  twelfth  days,  inclusive. 

QUESTION — Does  it  injure  the  germ  in  the  egg  under  setting 
hens  to  dust  the  hen  with  insect  powder? 
ANSWER — No. 

QUESTION — Does  it  do  any  good  to  help  hatching  chicks  out  of 
the  shell? 

ANSWER — Not  in  one  case  out  of  a  hundred.  Chicks  that  must 
be  helped  out  of  the  shell  are  too  weak  in  constitution  to  ever  de- 
velop properly.  There  are  of  course  exceptional  cases,  but  in  the 
end  nothing  is  gained  by  the  method. 


QUESTION — How  can  a  broody  hen  be  prevented  from  sit- 
ting? 

ANSWER — Confine  her  in  a  small  pen  or  coop  with  a  vigorous 
male  bird  for  a  day  or  two.  Place  her  in  a  coop  with  a  slatted 
bottom  and  raised  off  the  ground,  feeding  largely  green  food  and 
giving  an  ample  supply  of  cool  fresh  water  to  drink.  If  the  coop 
can  be  arranged  to  swing  back  and  forth  a  few  minutes  occasionally, 
it  would  be  better. 


QUESTION — Is  it  better  to  allow  a  broody  hen  to  sit  than  to 
try  to  break  her  up  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  It  is  nature's  plan  to  give  the  fowl  a  rest,  and 
she  will  have  better  health,  will  be  better  as  a  breeder  and  will  lay 
more  eggs  and  begin  to  lay  sooner.  Harsh  means,  such  as  ducking 
in  water,  etc.,  should  never  be  used. 


84  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — How  soon  will  a  healthy  chick  emerge  from  the 
shell  after  it  is  pipped  ? 

ER — In  six  to  ten  hours. 


QUESTION — Can  a  sitting  hen  be  moved  to  another  location 
without  causing  her  to  forsake  the  nest? 

ANSWER — Yes,  if  she  is  really  broody  and  has  been  sitting  a 
few  days. 


QUESTION — How  long  should  the  hen  be  left  on  the  nest  with 
her  newly  hatched  chicks  ? 

ANSWER — About  48  hours  if  the  hen  is  to  raise  them.  It  is 
best  to  have  the  nest  close  to  the  ground  or  floor  of  the  house  and 
allow  her  to  take  them  out  when  she  chooses.  If  they  are  to  be 
raised  in  a  brooder,  remove  them  from  the  nest  as  soon  as  they  are 
thoroughly  dry. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  month  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — March  and  April  for  the  Asiatic  breeds,  April  and 
May  for  American  breeds,  and  May  and  June  for  the  Mediterra- 
nean breeds. 


QUESTION — Will  moth  balls  placed  under  sitting  hens  to  kill 
the  lice,  injure  the  eggs  also? 

ANSWER — Yes ;  any  strong  fumes  are  injurious  to  eggs  during 
incubation.  Pure  air  is  a  necessity. 


QUESTION — How  can  hens  be  induced  to  become  broody  ? 

ANSWER — Very  little,  if  anything,  can  be  done  to  influence 
them.  Keep  them  away  from  the  male  and  feed  them  well  with  fat- 
tening foods. 


QUESTION — What  is  considered   a   good  hatch   from  an  incu- 
bator? 

ANSWER — Eighty  per  cent  of  the  fertile  eggs. 


QUESTION — Can  duck  eggs  and  hen  eggs  both  be  put  in  the 
incubator  at  the  same  time  ? 

ANSWER — Not  for  best  results. 


QUESTION — Does  it  make  a  difference  whether  the  eggs  are 
evenly  distributed  over  the  egg  trays,  or  may  they  be  left  as  they 
are  after  the  unfertile  eggs  are  tested  out  ? 

ANSWER — They  should  be  spread  out  over  the  trays  in  about 
the  same  relative  position  to  each  other  in  order  to  facilitate  the 
maintenance  of  an  even  temperature  for  all. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  85 

QUESTION — Can  an  incubator  be  made  to  maintain  a  temper- 
ature for  days  at  a  time  that  will  not  vary  more  than  one-half  de- 
gree either  way  from  the  desired  amount  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  A  perfect  regulator  on  a  good  machine  in  the 
hands  of  an  expert  operator  can  be  made  to  keep  the  temperature 
at  any  given  point  during  the  entire  hatch,  but  cases  of  this  kind 
are  exceedingly  rare. 


QUESTION — Could  an  incubator  be  considered  a  good  one  if  the 
temperature  could  be  controlled  within  a  range  of  il/2  degrees  dur- 
ing the  hatch  ? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Can  the  temperature  in  the  incubator  go  as  low 
as  101  and  as  high  as  105  and  a  good  hatch  still  secured  ? 

ANSWER — Yes,  if  the  extremes  are  not  held  too  long  at  a  time, 
say  more  than  24  hours. 


QUESTION — Are  the  very  small  incubators  as  reliable  as  those 
of  larger  capacity  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — At  what  temperature"  should  the  incubator  room 
or  cellar  be  kept  ? 

ANSWER — The  object  should  be  to  maintain  as  even  a  temper- 
ature as  possible  somewhere  within  a  maximum  of  70  degrees  and  a 
minimum  of  60  degrees,  which  are  the  safest  limits. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  greatest  heat  the  egg  can  stand  in  the 
incubator  without  the  germ  being  killed? 

ANSWER1 — A  fixed  degree  that  will  apply  in  all  cases  cannot 
be  stated;  109  degrees  before  the  eleventh  day  and  112  degrees  after 
that  period. 


QUESTION — How  often  should  the  eggs  be  turned  in  the  incu- 
bator ? 

ANSWER — Up  to  the  igth  day  turn  them  at  least  once  a  day. 
Twice  a  day  will  generally  be  advantageous. 


QUESTION — How  large  should  the  air  cell  in  the  end  of  the  egg 
be  on  the  5th,  the  loth  and  I5th  days  of  incubation? 

ANSWER — In  the  average-sized  egg,  about  the  size  of  a  25-cent 
piece  on  the  fifth,  nearly  as  large  as  a  half  dollar  on  the  tenth  and 
a  trifle  larger  than  a  half  dollar  on  the  fifteenth,  or  about  seven- 
eighths  of  an  inch,  one  and  one-eighth  inches  and  one  and  one-quar- 
ter inches. 


86  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — If  a  fertile  egg  be  broken  before  having  been  incu- 
bated at  all,  is  there  any  way  to  distinguish  it  from  a'fertile  one  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  The  germ  in  the  form  of  a  mucous-like  spot 
may  be  seen  attached  to  the  yolk. 


QUESTION — How  soon  after  an  egg  has  been  placed  in  the 
incubator  or  under  the  hen  can  the  development  of  the  germ  be 
noticed  ? 

ANSWER — In  a  clear  white  shelled  egg  a  spider-like  formation 
may  be  noticed  on  the  third  day. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  best  days  to  test  eggs  during  incu- 
bation ? 

ANSWER — At  the  end  of  the  5th,  loth  and  i5th  days. 


QUESTION — How  often  and  for  how  long  at  a  time  may  a  set- 
ting hen  leave  the  nest  without  injuring  the  eggs? 

ANSWER — It  all  depends  upon  the  location  of  the  nest  as  af- 
fected by  the  weather.  In  moderately  cool  weather  ten  to  twenty 
minutes  each  day  is  sufficient  for  both  hen  and  eggs.  In  real  warm 
weather  a  half  hour  occasionally  will  do  no  harm. 


QUESTION — What  time  is  required  to  hatch  duck  eggs? 

ANSWER — Four  weeks,  except  the  eggs  of  Muscovy  ducks, 
which  require  five  weeks.  The  duckling  pips  the  shell  from  24  to 
36  hours  before  they  emerge  from  it. 


QUESTION — What  change  takes  place  in  an  unfertile  egg  after 
having  been  incubated  five  days? 

ANSWER — The  air  cell  is  a  trifle  larger  than  in  a  fresh  egg. 


QUESTION — If  the  air  cell  in  the  eggs  grows  too  rapidly,  how 
may  it  be  checked,  and  if  too  slowly  may  it  be  increased  ? 

ANSWER — If  too  rapidly,  decrease  the  supply  of  air  to  the  egg 
chamber  or  increase  the  supply  of  moisture.  If  the  growth  is  too 
slow,  increase  the  supply  of  air  or  decrease  the  moisture. 


QUESTION — Can  identically  the  same  rules  in  all  particulars  be 
applied  to  the  operating  of  incubators  of  all  makes  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Follow  explicitly  the  directions  furnished  by 
the  maker  of  the  machine  in  question. 


QUESTION — WThat  size  incubator  is  best  to  buy  if  the  business 
is  to  be  conducted  on  a  large  scale  ? 

ANSWER — Two  hundred  eggs.  Better  buy  this  size  and  get 
more  of  them  than  to  buy  the  very  large  machines. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  87 

QUESTION — Can  incubators  be  run  with  gas  for  heat  instead  of 
oil? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Gas  furnishes  a  more  steady,  even  heat  and 
is  preferable.  Most  any  machine  can  be  easily  changed  to  allow 
heating  by  gas. 


QUESTION — If  the  temperature  in  the  incubator  is  just  right 
before  the  eggs  are  placed  in  the  machine,  will  it  drop  after  the  eggs 
are  put  in? 

ANSWER — Yes.  If  the  machine  is  in  good  running  order  the 
temperature  will  rise  again  in  due  time  without  any  additional  regu- 
lating. 

QUESTION — What  causes  chicks  to  die  in  the  shell  just  at  the 
time  they  are  ready  to  come  out? 

ANSWER — Oftentimes  it  is  because  the  chick  comes  from  weak 
and  debilitated  parent  stock,  or  from  a  weakly  fertilized  egg  and  it 
has  not  sufficient  strength  to  break  the  shell  and  survive  the  effort. 
The  trouble  may  also  be  the  result  of  too  much  heat  in  the  incubator 
during  the  last  few  days  of  the  hatch,  or  too  little  moisture  at  the 
time  of  hatching.  Either  of  these  conditions  may  cause  the  skin 
O'f  the  shell  to  dry  too  quickly  and  harden  on  the  chick,  which  binds 
it  too  strongly  for  it  to  escape. 


QUESTION — At  what  temperature  will  the  germ  in  an  egg  com- 
mence to  develop? 

ANSWER — Slight  changes  will  take  place  at  a  temperature  of  80 
degrees. 


QUESTION — If  an  unhatched  egg  is  decayed  after  incubation,  is 
it  an  indication  of  unquestioned  fertility  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  An  unfertile  egg  will  remain  clear,  and,  while 
somewhat  stale,  it  may  be  used  as  food. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  reason  why  eggs  of  different  breeds 
should  not  be  placed  together  under  the  hen  or  in  the  incubator  ? 

ANSWER — It  may  be  done  more  or  less  satisfactorily  if  there 
is  no  way  to  avoid  it,  but  better  results  will  be  obtained  if  some 
attention  is  paid  to  the  selection  of  eggs  having  shells  of  about  the 
same  thickness.  For  instance,  the  eggs  of  all  the  American  breeds 
are  about  the  same,  but  in  the  Mediterranean  and  Asiatic  breeds 
there  is  a  wide  difference  in  the  thickness  of  the  shells.  The  shell 
of  the  Leghorn  egg  is  thinner  than  that  of  the  Brahma  egg,  and 
there  will  be  a  difference  of  several  hours  usually  in  the  period  of 
incubation  of  the  eggs  from  these  two  breeds.  The  best  results 
will  be  secured  by  selecting  eggs  of  one  breed  and  of  uniform  size, 


88  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Should  the  incubator  be  heated  to  the  proper  tem- 
perature before  putting  in  the  eggs  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — When  fertile  eggs  die  in  the  incubator,  will  they 
injure  the  others  if  not  taken  out? 

ANSWER — Yes.  One  of  the  absolutely  essential  requirements 
for  success  in  artificial  incubation  is  a  constant  circulation  of  pure 
air  in  the  incubator.  The  foul  gases  arising  from  decayed  eggs 
destroy  this  condition  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  and  consequently 
lessen  the  chances  of  a  good  hatch. 


QUESTION — Are  brooders  preferable  to  hens  in  raising  chicks  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Are  home-made  brooders  successful? 

ANSWER — They  are  if  they  are  properly  constructed.  One  who 
is  handy  with  tools  and  understands  the  principles  of  brooder  con- 
struction can  succeed  in  making  a  reliable  brooder. 


QUESTION — Ought  a  good  outdoor  brooder  maintain  a  temper- 
ature of  90  degrees  during  several  days  of  zero  weather  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — At  what  temperature  should  the  brooder  be  kept 
during  the  first  week  that  the  chicks  are  in  it  ? 

ANSWER — 90  degrees  will  be  right  for  the  first  week.  The 
brooder  should,  of  course,  have  a  nursery  or  runway  much  cooler 
than  this  where  the  chicks  can  scratch  and  exercise  when  they 
desire  to  do  so.  They  will  not  need  a  temperature  of  90  degrees  con- 
tinuously, but  should  have  it  to  go  to  when  wanted. 

QUESTION — Which  is  the  better  method  of  heating  the  brooder, 
top  heat  or  bottom  heat  ? 

ANSWER — Top  heat  is  the  only  successful  plan.  Bottom  heat 
is  unnatural  and  has  long  been  abandoned  by  practical  poultrymen 
who  depend  upon  brooders  to  raise  their  chicks. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  most  suitable  bedding  for  the  brooder? 

ANSWER — A  couple  of  inches  of  dry  sand,  and  upon  this  may 
be  scattered  enough  clover  chaff  or  scrapings  from  the  hay  loft  to 
well  cover  it. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  largest  number  of  chicks  that  should 
be  kept  in  one  brooder  ? 

ANSWER — Never  more  than  100;  50  is  better. 


999   QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — How  much  brooder  room  is  required  for  100  chicks 
until  they  are  six  weeks  old? 

ANSWER — A  brooder  about  3x4  feet  placed  in  a  run  about  4x10 
feet.  These  measurements  are  the  lowest  limits. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  matter  with  a  brooder  in  which  the 
temperature  rises  5  to  10  degrees  when  the  chicks  hover  in  it  at 
night  ? 

ANSWER — Such  an  increase  will  occur  in  any  brooder.  It  is 
caused  by  the  heat  from  the  bodies  of  the  chicks  and  is  the  natural 
result  of  crowding. 


QUESTION — If  the  temperature  of  the  brooder  is  90  degrees  at 
the  start,  what  should  it  be  at  the  end  of  each  succeeding  week  ? 

ANSWER — The  heat  should  be  reduced  about  5  degrees  every 
seven  days  till  it  reaches  about  70  degrees.  This  temperature  should 
be  maintained  as  long  as  the  chicks  are  in  the  brooder. 


QUESTION — Is  it  not  a  fact  that  most  brooders  are  overrated 
as  to  capacity? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Manufacturers  almost  without  exception  claim 
a  capacity  for  twice  as  many  chicks  as  their  brooders  will  accom- 
modate. 


QUESTION — Is  air  slacked  lime  suitable   for  the  floor  of  the 
brooder  ? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Can  fertile  eggs  during  incubation  be  distinguished 
by  a  rattling  sound  when  shaken  close  to  the  ear  ? 

ANSWER — No,  such  handling  will  injure  a  fertile  egg  and  may 
kill  the  germ. 


QUESTION — Should  a  hen  be  set  that  has  scaly  legs  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  it  better  to  set  a  hen  so  that  she  has  her  liberty 
to  wander  around  at  her  pleasure,  or  should  she  be  closely  confined"3 

ANSWER — It  is  better  to  set  her  in  a  comparatively  roomy  place 
where  she  has  access  to  food  and  will  not  be  annoyed  by  other  hens. 


QUESTION — In  turning  eggs  in  the  incubator  should  they  be 
turned  end  over  end  or  rolled  over  sideways? 

ANSWER— Either  method  will  4o,  It  is  more  convenient  to  roll 
them  over, 


90  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — If  eggs  do  not  hatch  at  the  end  of  the  2ist  day  is  it 
worth  while  to  keep  them  longer? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Will  a  very  slightly  cracked  egg  hatch? 
ANSWER — Sometimes  they  will. 

QUESTION — What  causes  the  temperature  in  the  incubator  to 
fall  one  to  two  degrees  when  the  chicks  are  hatching,  and  should  the 
lamp  be  turned  up  at  that  time  to  increase  the  heat? 

ANSWER — This  condition  is  usually  found  in  machines  where 
the  wet  chicks  come  in  contact  with  the  bulb  of  the  thermometer  and 
the  natural  result  is  a  difference  in  the  register.  It  is  desirable  to 
maintain  103  degrees  in  the  machine  at  this  time  and  there  really  is 
that  amount  of  heat.  Under  the  circumstances,  the  lamp  should  not 
be  changed. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  one  incubator  better  than  another  for 
a  beginner  to  start  with? 

ANSWER — No  incubator  possesses  that  distinctive  feature.  If  it 
could  be  better  for  the  novice  it  would  also  be  better  for  the  expert. 


QUESTION — Does  it  do  any  good  to  pip  the  shell  for  the  chick 
and  thereby  help  it  to  break  through  ? 

ANSWER — No.  If  the  chick  is  not  strong  enough  to  pip  the  shell 
it  should  never  come  out. 


QUESTION — If  an  incubator  is  being  run  in  a  cellar  which  on 
account  of  heavy  rains  becomes  filled  with  water  nearly  to  the  bottom 
of  the  lamp,  is  it  worth  while  to  continue  the  hatch?  Will  not  so 
much  dampness  injure  the  hatch  ? 

ANSWER — Good  hatches  have  been  brought  off  under  these  con- 
ditions and  in  such  cases  the  machine  should  not  be  neglected. 


QUESTION — What  are  addled  eggs? 

ANSWER — Those  in  which  the  germ  has  died  during  incubation 
before  the  embryo  is  well  formed. 


QUESTION — Do  incubator  chicks  have  to  be  taught  to  eat  ? 
ANSWER — Only  by  placing  the  food  before  them  at  the  proper 
time. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  danger  from  fire  in  running  an  incu- 
bator in  the  dwelling? 

ANSWER — No  more  than  there  would  be  in  having  an  ordinary 
house  lamp  burning  and  in  most  cases  not  as  much. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS,  91 

QUESTION — Does  it  pay  to  buy  second-hand  incubators  ? 
ANSWER — No.    By  all  means  get  a  new  one. 


QUESTION — When  cooling  eggs  in  the  incubator  what  should 
the  limit  of  the  temperature  be? 

ANSWER — Do  not  let  them  go  lower  than  80  degrees. 

QUESTION — Why  is  it  so  necessary  to  keep  the  door  of  the  in- 
cubator closed  while  the  chicks  are  hatching? 

ANSWER — The  drafts  of  air  coming  in  upon  the  chicks  at  that 
time  will  seriously  affect  them. 

QUESTION — About  how  much  weight  will  a  properly  incubated 
egg  lose  during  incubation? 

ANSWER — About  one-eighth  of  its  original  weight. 

QUESTION — When  cooling  incubator  eggs,  is  it  best  to  leave 
them  in  the  machine  and  open  the  door,  or  should  they  be  taken  out 
and  the  door  kept  closed  ? 

ANSWER — Take  them  out  of  the  machine  and  keep  it  closed. 

QUESTION — How  often  should  the  wick  of  the  incubator  lamp 
be  trimmed? 

ANSWER — Once  a  day. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  method  by  which  the  liability  of  the 
incubator  lamp  to  smoke  may  be  reduced? 

ANSWER — It  is  claimed  that  wicks  soaked  in  vinegar  and  dried 
before  putting  in  the  lamp  will  prevent  smoking  to  some  extent. 

QUESTION — How  many  eggs  can  a  medium-sized  hen  properly 
cover  ? 

ANSWER — Thirteen  in  early  spring  and  fifteen  in  summer. 


QUESTION — In  keeping  eggs  for  hatching,  does  it  make  any 
difference  whether  they  are  kept  in  the  dark  or  not? 

ANSWER — A  test  made  at  the  Maine  State  Agricultural  Ex- 
perimental Station  showed  that  the  chances  were  slightly  in  favor 
of  eggs  kept  in  a  dark  place. 

QUESTION — Will   smoking   in   the   incubator    room     (pipe    or 
cigar)  injure  the  germ  in  the  egg? 
ANSWER — Yes,  if  persisted  in. 


QUESTION — Can  an  incubator  with  single  walls  be  relied  upon? 
ANSWER — No, 


92  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS. 

QUESTION — Can  the  heat  in  the  brooder  be  kept  near  enough  to 
the  right  point  without  a  thermometer  ? 

ANSWER — No.    Guess-work  will  give  poor  results. 

QUESTION — What  system  of  heating  is  best  for  a  large  brooder 
house  ? 

ANSWER — The  hot- water  pipe  system. 


QUESTION — Can  a  brooder  house  be  heated  with  stoves  and 
kept  at  the  right  temperature  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  The  stoves  need  constant  attention,  and  good 
indoor  brooders  should  be  used  also. 


QUESTION — Where  can  one  purchase  a  hot-water  heating  plant 
for  a  brooder  house  ? 

ANSWER — Write  to  the  Cyphers  Incubator  Co.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  reason  why  a  kitchen  is  not  a  suitable 
place  for  an  incubator? 

ANSWER — Yes.  In  most  kitchens  there  is  much  moving  around 
and  incubators  should  be  placed  where  they  are  subject  to  as  little 
jar  as  possible.  The  heat  in  the  kitchen  is  not  sufficiently  uniform 
and  the  fumes  from  the  various  foods  cooking  will  injure  the  eggs, 
which  should  at  all  times  have  a  constantly  changing  supply  of  pure, 
fresh  air. 


QUESTION — Will  the  same  instructions  in  all  details  apply  to  all 
machines  ? 

ANSWER — No.  In  some  things  it  is  best  to  follow  explicitly  the 
instructions  of  the  maker. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  incubator  operator  always  know  that 
his  thermometer  is  reliable  and  is  registering  correctly? 

ANSWER — Procure  a  reliable  physician's  thermometer  to  test 
with.  Place  both  in  water  warmed  to  103  degrees  and  keep  the 
water  agitated. 


QUESTION — How  often  should  the  lamp  burner  on  the  incu- 
bator be  cleaned  ? 

ANSWER — Clean  it  thoroughly  after  each  hatch.  Boil  it  in 
borax  water. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  largest  number  of  eggs  that  should  be 
set  under  a  hen  in  summer? 

ANSWER — Fifteen.  Sometimes  a  larger  number  are  set,  with 
good  results,  but  a  hen  cannot  properly  cover  more  than  fifteen. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  93 


QUESTION — What  is  the  rule  for  testing  the  moisture  in  incu- 
bator eggs  by  placing  them  in  water? 

ANSWER — After  the  egg  has  been  in  the  machine  for  two  weeks, 
place  in  it  warm  water.  If  it  floats,  there  is  not  sufficient  moisture. 
If  it  sinks,  there  is  too  much  moisture,  and  if  it  floats  with  a  space 
above  the  water  that  can  be  covered  by  a  twenty-five  cent  piece, 
the  moisture  is  about  right. 

QUESTION — Are  hygrometers  or  moisture  gauges  of  any  value 
in  the  incubator? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Will  it  injure  the  eggs  in  the  incubator  to  remove 
the  trays  for  convenience  when  testing  the  eggs  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Should  the  eggs  be  turned  in  the  incubator  after 
they  commence  to  pip? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Do  the  Asiatic  breeds  make  good  mothers  ? 
ANSWER — Not  as  a  rule.     They  are  clumsy  and  trample  the 
chicks  in  the  nest. 


QUESTION — Can  a  very  large  poultry  plant  be  operated  profita- 
bly without  the  use  of  incubators? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Should  chicks  of  different  ages  ever  be  put  into 
the  brooder  together? 
ANSWER — No. 


94  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Turkeys,  Ducks  and  Geese. 

QUESTION — Which  is  the  largest  breed  of  turkeys? 
ANSWER — The  Bronze.     1'he  standard  weight  for  cocks  is  36 
Ibs.  and  for  hens  20  Ibs. 


QUESTION — Can  geese  be  kept  in  confinement? 
ANSWER — No.    They  need  a  large  grassy  range. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  sexes  in  geese  be  distinguished? 
ANSWER — The  voice  of  the  female  is  coarse  and  the  male  has 
a  thicker  neck  and  a  generally  masculine  appearance. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  have  a  pond  or  stream  of  water 
for  geese? 

ANSWER — They  will  do  much  better  if  it  is  provided. 


QUESTION — How   old   should  geese  be  before   they   will   pro- 
duce eggs  that  will  hatch  strong,  healthy  goslings? 
ANSWER — Two  years  old. 

QUESTION — How  can  the  sexes  be  distinguished  in  ducks? 

ANSWER — The  first  noticeable  feature  in  young  birds  is  the 
drake's  longer  bill,  neck  arid  body  and  a  more  upright  carriage. 
When  about  two  months  old  the  duck  can  be  distinguished  by  her 
coarse  voice.  The  drake  has  a  finer  voice,  and  with  age  the  curled 
feathers  appear  in  the  tail. 


QUESTION — How  many  eggs  ought  a  pekin  duck  lay  in  a  year  ? 
ANSWER — About  125. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  do  ducks  cease  to  be  profitable  as  lay- 
ers and  breeders? 

ANSWER — From  three  to  four  years. 


QUESTION — To  be  successful  with  ducks,  is  it  necessary  to  have 
a  pond  for  them  to  swim  in  ? 

ANSWER — No.  A  plentiful  supply  of  clean  water  in  deep  drink- 
ing vessels  so  that  they  can  immerse  their  head  frequently  is  all  that 
is  needed, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  95 


QUESTION — How  many  geese  should  be  mated  to  a  gander  ? 

ANSWER — One  gander  will  sometimes  do  for  two  or  three 
geese,  but  geese  generally  mate  in  pairs,  and  better  results  will  be 
obtained  in  that  way. 


QUESTION — How  many  ducks  should  be  mated  to  one  drake? 
ANSWER — About  five. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  average  weight  of  Toulouse  goslings 
at  the  age  of  one  month  ? 

ANSWER — About  4^2  Ibs. 


QUESTION — Do  turkeys  have  worms? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  keep  the  turkey  torn  with  the 
turkey  hens  during  the  entire  breeding  season? 

ANSWER — No.  It  would  be  a  good  idea  to  allow  the  male  to 
run  with  the  females  at  least  two  or  three  weeks.  One  union  of  the 
sexes  is  sufficient  to  fertilize  all  the  eggs  the  hen  will  lay  in  two 
or  three  months.  Turkeys  differ  from  chickens  in  this  respect. 

QUESTION — What  is  a  poult? 
ANSWER — A  newlv  hatched  turkey. 


QUESTION — Which  breed  of  ducks  is  the  best  layer? 
ANSWER — The  Indian  Runner. 


QUESTION — How  soon  will  ducks  begin  to  lay  ? 
ANSWER — At  about  eight  months. 

QUESTION — Can  geese  be  kept  success fulr?  in  confinement? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  two  principal  varieties  of  geese? 
ANSWER — The  Toulouse  and  the  Embden. 

QUESTION— Which  is  the  heaviest  breed  of  geese? 

ANSWER — The  Toulouse  and  the  Embden  both  weigh  the  same, 
except  the  young  goose,  which  the  standard  fixes  at  one  pound  heav- 
ier in  the  Embden  variety.  Adult  ganders  weigh  20  pounds  and 
adult  geese  18  pounds. 

QUESTION — Do  geese  make  good  mothers  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


96  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — How  long  does  it  require  for  goose  eggs  to  hatch  ? 
ANSWER — Thirty  days. 


QUESTION — How  many  goose  eggs  can  be  safely  entrusted  to 
a  hen  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — Five  or  six.    Small  hens  should  not  be  used. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  green  stuff  to  raise  in  the  pond 
for  geese? 

ANSWER — Water  grass  and  wild  rice. 


QUESTION — How  can  one  tell  when  the  feathers  on  geese  are 
ripe  for  picking? 

ANSWER — When  they  can  be  pulled  out  clean  without  a  bloody 
liquid  adhering  to  the  quill. 

QUESTION — Will  a  very  rough  shed  answer  for  roosting  quar- 
ters for  turkeys  in  coldest  winter  weather  ? 

ANSWER — Yes ;  all  they  require  is  protection  from  driving  snow, 
sleet,  and  rain.  They  will  do  better  roosting  out  in  the  open  air  most 
of  the  time. 


QUESTION — How  long  can  geese  be  kept  profitably  as  breeders  ? 
ANSWER — From  five  to  eight  years. 


QUESTION — What  are  green  ducks? 

ANSWER — Green  ducks  is  a  term  applied  to  young  ducks  of 
from  8  to  12  weeks  of  age. 

QUESTION — How  many  eggs  will  the  Bronze  turkey  lay  in  a 
year? 

ANSWER — From  t\$§enty  to  forty. 


QUESTION — What  are  the   small   fleshy   protuberances   on  the 
head  of  a  turkey  called? 
ANSWER — Caruncles. 


QUESTION — WThat  is  the  bean  of  a  duck  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  the  hard  bean-shaped  protuberance  growing  at 
the  tip  of  the  upper  mandible  of  the  bill. 


QUESTION — Will  very  young  ducklings  be  injured  by  being  out 
in  a  hard  rain  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  They  may  drown.  It  is  a  mistaken  idea  that 
clucks  must  be  in  a  pond  all  the  time  and  that  they  cannot  get  too 
much  water. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  97 

QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  try  to  raise  late  hatched  geese  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  it  very  easy  to  overfeed  geese  with  grain? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  many  goslings  does  one  generally  raise  from 

goose  ? 

ANSWER — An  average  of  twelve  is  good. 


one  goose  ? 


QUESTION — How  high  a  fence  is  required  to  confine  geese? 
ANSWER — Three  feet  will  usually  answer. 


QUESTION — Can  unfeathered  goslings  stand  much  rain? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Are  ducks  subject  to  the  ravages  of  lice  to  the  same 
extent  that  chickens  are  ? 

ANSWER — No.  The  plumage  of  a  duck  seems  to  be  too  thick 
and  close  for  lice. 


QUESTION — What  does  it  cost  to  keep  a  duck  a  year? 
ANSWER — About  $2,  under  favorable  conditions. 


QUESTION — What  should  be  the  income  from  the  sale  of  feath- 
ers during  the  year,  from  a  pair  of  geese. 
ANSWER — Two  dollars. 


QUESTION — When  does  the  season  for  duck  laying  close? 
ANSWER — About  Aug.  ist. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  may  young  turkeys  be  said  to  have 
passed  the  danger  point  of  turkey  ills? 
ANSWER — Eight  weeks. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


Miscellaneous. 

i 

QUESTION — Are  cross  bred  birds  better  in  any  way  than  the  pure 
bred  ones? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Are  the  Standard  bred  fowls  as  hardy  and  healthy 
as  the  ordinary  mongrels? 

ANSWER — Yes,  all  things  considered,  they  are  more  so. 


QUESTION — What  will  it  cost  to  feed  a  broiler  till  it  reaches  a 
pound  in  weight? 

ANSWER — About  five  cents. 


QUESTION — If  a  hen  has  been  forced  for  heavy  laying  all  win- 
ter will  it  affect  her  as  a  breeder  in  spring? 

ANSWER — Yes.  She  will  not  lay  quite  as  many  eggs  and  there 
will  be  a  tendency  toward  a  lower  vitality  in  much  of  the  off- 
spring. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  danger  in  breeding  from  a  bird  that 
has  had  roup? 

ANSWER — Genuine  roup  is  similar  to  consumption  in  people, 
and  is  considered  hereditary.  It  is  classed  as  a  blood  disease,  and 
even  though  a  bird  has  seemingly  been  cured  it  is  very  liable  to 
prove  a  disappointment  as  a  breeder,  and  the  chances  are  that  the 
progeny  will  fall  an  easy  prey  to  disease  and  be  especially  suscep- 
tible to  roup.  It  is  not  advisable  to  use  such  fowls  in  the  breeding 
pen. 


QUESTION — When  reference  is  made  to  the  utility  value  of  a 
breed  what  is  the  idea  conveyed? 

ANSWER — By  utility  is  usually  meant  that  the  fowl  has  been 
developed  along  the  line  of  greatest  value  from  a  market  stand- 
point, which  is  based  upon  the  number  of  eggs  it  will  lay  and  the 
quality  and  quantity  of  meat  it  will  produce. 


QUESTION — What  is  '''fancy"  fowls  or  exhibition  stock? 

ANSWER — The  term  " fancy"  as  applied  to  standard  bred  poul- 
try means  fowls  that  are  bred  with  a  view  to  developing  the  per- 
fection of  certain  external  characteristics  embodied  in  various  shapes 
of  the  different  sections  and  colors  of  the  plumage. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — Can  utility  and  fancy  points  be  bred  in  the  same 
bird? 

ANSWER — An  ideal  fowl  should  have  combined  in  its  make-up 
both  fancy  and  utility  points.  This  can  be  accomplished,  although 
there  may  be  found  supposedly  well-informed  breeders  who  emphat- 
ically declare  that  it  cannot.  There  is  no  law  of  nature  which  makes 
fine  plumage  and  shape  antagonistic  to  heavy  egg  production  or  the 
development  of  table  fowls.  The  most  pleasure  and  profit  lies  in 
the  production  of  standard  bred  fowls  in  which  there  is  a  combina- 
tion of  both  fancy  and  utility  points. 


QUESTION — Why  are  there  not  more  guineas  raised? 

ANSWER — They  lay  a  very  small  egg,  the  flesh  is  very  dark  and 
not  relished  by  many  people,  and  their  incessant  unearthly  noise 
makes  them  a  nuisance. 


QUESTION — Is  it  possible  to  have  fowls  so  tame  that  the  keeper 
can  go  among  them  without  them  fleeing  from  him? 

ANSWER — Yes.  If  fowls  are  properly  cared  for  they  will  eat 
from  the  hand  of  their  keeper. 


QUESTION — When  is  the  best  time  to  hatch  bantams? 
ANSWER — July  and  August. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  age  of  fowls  be  told  ? 
ANSWER — There  is  no  absolutely  sure  way  after  they  are  more 
than  one  year  old. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  heaviest  breed  of  chickens? 
ANSWER — Light  Brahmas.     The  cocks  weigh  12  Ibs.,  hens 
Ibs.,  cockerels  10  Ibs.  and  pullets  8  Ibs. 


QUESTION — Can  fowls  be  kept  in  confinement  as  well  as  on  free 
range  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Some  of  the  finest  exhibition  birds  are  raised 
on  city  lots. 


QUESTION — In  treating  fowls  for  lice  by  putting  coal  oil  on 
the  plumage,  is  there  any  danger  in  injuring  the  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — Too  much  oil  applied  to  the  plumage  will  make  a 
bird  ill,  and  if  it  is  not  in  good  condition  may  kill  it. 

QUESTION — Is  the  yellow-skinned  fowl  a  better  one  for  table 
purposes  than  the  white-skinned  one? 

ANSWER — It  is  no  better,  but  more  people  prefer  it,  and  it  can 
be  sold  much  easier  and  generally  at  a  better  price. 


100  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — Are  white  fowls  as  hardy  as  the  colored  ones? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  do  hens  commence  to  decrease  in  egg 
production  ? 

ANSWER — When  entering  the  third  laying  season. 


QUESTION — How  often  is  it  necessary  to  remove  the  droppings 
from  the  dropping  boards  ? 

ANSWER — It  should  be  done  daily.  Twice  a  week  might  an- 
swer, and  never  under  any  circumstances  should  they  be  neglected 
longer  than  a  week. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  slip  as  applied  to  caponizing? 

ANSWER — It  is  a  bird  upon  which  the  operation  has  not  been 
properly  performed,  the  testicles  not  having  been  entirely  removed. 
Such  birds  are  of  no  value  as  capons,  and  they  cannot  be  used  as 
breeders. 


QUESTION — How  long  should  the  incision  be  in  the  side  of  the 
bird  when  caponizing? 

ANSWER — About  an  inch. 


QUESTION — Will  the  hens  in  a  flock  lay  more  eggs  if  there  is 
a  male  bird  with  them? 

ANSWER — No.  The  presence  of  the  male  cannot  influence  the 
number  of  eggs  laid. 


QUESTION — What  special  preparation,  if  any,  is  necessary  with 
the  bird  before  caponizing? 

ANSWER — None  beyond  the  details  of  the  operation,  except 
that  food  should  be  withheld  for  24  hours. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  noticeable  effects  of  caponizing? 

ANSWER— The  bird  is  of  an  extremely  quiet  disposition.  It 
never  craves  a  fight  and  the  comb  practically  ceases  to  grow.  It 
responds  quickly  to  heavy  feeding  and  takes  on  flesh  rapidly. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  capon? 

ANSWER — A  capon  is  a  male  bird  with  the  organs  of  reproduc- 
tion removed. 


QUESTION — Does  caponizing  require  any  special  skill  in  the 
operator  ? 

ANSWER — None  that  the  average  person  cannot  acquire  with  a 
little  practice.  A  steady  hand  is  the  main  requirement. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS,  101 

QUESTION — What  is  the  object  in  caponizing? 
ANSWER — The  birds  grow  larger,  the  flesh  is  remarkably  tender 
and  wonderfully  improved  in  flavor. 


QUESTION — What  age  is  best  for  caponizing? 
ANSWER — About  three  months. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  best  breeds  for  caponizing? 
ANSWER — The  medium-sized  ones,  such  as  Plymouth  Rocks  and 
Wyandottes. 

QUESTION — What   is  the  percentage  of    loss  by  death    when 
caponizing  when  the  operator  is  an  expert? 
ANSWER — Not  more  than  five  per  cent. 

QUESTION — What  does  a  good  set  of  caponizing  instruments 
cost? 

ANSWER — About  $2.50. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  are  capons  ready  for  market? 
ANSWER — From  10  to  12  months. 


QUESTION — What  causes  hens  to  lay  their  eggs  while  on  the 
perches  at  night? 

ANSWER — It  may  happen  naturally  occasionally,  but  it  is  gen- 
erally an  indication  of  weak  egg  organs. 

QUESTION — How  many  cockerels  should  be  kept  with  20x3  hens 
on  free  range? 

ANSWER — About  ten  male  birds  would  be  right  under  the  con- 
ditions mentioned. 


QUESTION — What  kind  of  drinking  fountains  are  best? 
ANSWER — Earthenware.     They  should   be  thoroughly  cleaned 
and  scalded  often. 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  for  a  beginner  to  commence  with 
common  stock? 

ANSWER — It  is  not  best  for  one  to  begin  with  scrub  or  mongrel 
fowls,  although  it  is  not  necessary  to  have  the  very  highest  grade 
of  standard  bred  stock.  Culls  from  some  good  flock  will  answer 
the  purpose. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  method  of  preventing  lice? 

ANSWER — Keep  the  house  and  all  interior  fixtures  such  as  roosts, 
nests,  etc.,  scrupulously  clean,  and  use  a  good  lice  powder  on  the 
fowls  regularly. 


102  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  best  breed  for  a  city  lot? 

ANSWER — No  one  breed  can  be  said  to  be  unquestionably  better 
than  another,  but  the  Asiatic  or  American  breeds  are  generally  pref- 
erable to  the  Mediterranean  breeds,  for  the  reason  that  the  latter 
are  usually  high  fliers  and  more  or  less  restless  when  confined. 


QUESTION — How    many    fowls    can    be    kept    on    an    acre    of 
ground  ? 

ANSWER — About  250  ordinarily. 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  breed  more  than  one  variety  of 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — Most  people  will  succeed  better  with  one  variety 
only,  although  an  experienced  breeder  with  ample  room  may  get 
good  results  from  two  or  more  varieties. 


QUESTION — Do   Wyandottes    forage    as    much    as    Plymouth 
Rocks? 

ANSWER — There  is  practically  no  difference. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  best  breed? 

ANSWER — This  question  is  perhaps  asked  oftener  than  any 
other.  It  is  generally  among  the  very  first  inquiries  from  begin- 
ners. The  truth  is  that  no  breed  can  be  said  to  be  better  than  all 
the  others.  Pages  and  volumes  have  been  written  in  argument  of  the 
matter,  and  it  is  stijl  unsettled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all.  One  per- 
son will  succeed  with  a  breed  with  which  another  has  failed.  Much 
depends  upon  the  particular  strain  of  any  breed.  For  instance  a 
strain  of  Leghorns  which  have  been  systematically  selected  and  line 
bred,  for  heavy  egg  production  will  lay  more  eggs  than  will  Leg- 
horns not  so  bred.  Consequently  there  is  a  wide  difference  in  fami- 
lies of  the  same  variety  or  breed  as  well  as  in  different  varieties  and 
breeds.  The  poultryman  should  select  the  breed  which  suits  him 
best  in  color  and  shape,  for  the  reason  that  he  will  be  more  inter- 
ested in  it  and  will  give  it  better  attention,  which  means  greater  suc- 
cess. The  fowls  that  are  the  best  general  or  all-purpose  ones  are  the 
several  varieties  of  Plymouth  Rocks  and  Wyandottes.  The  varie- 
ties which  are  most  popular  and  most  extensively  bred  for  fancy, 
for  market  purposes  and  egg  production,  are  Barred  Plymouth 
Rocks,  White  Plymouth  Rocks  and  White  Wyandottes. 


QUESTION — What  is  line  breeding? 

ANSWER — By  line  breeding  is  meant  the  system  of  producing 
fowls  through  the  mating  of  birds  related  to  each  other  and  de- 
scended from  common  ancestors,  confining  breeding  operations  to 
the  members  of  one  family,  but  avoiding  injurious  inbreeding.  To 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  103 

practice  line  breeding  profitably  and  without  dire  results  requires 
skill  and  a  somewhat  thorough  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  mating. 


QUESTION — What  is  inbreeding? 

ANSWER — Inbreeding  as  usually  referred  to  is  an  exaggerated 
form  of  line  breeding.  Breeding  from  birds  that  are  closely  re- 
lated is  inbreeding,  and  it  should  not  be  practiced  to  the  extent  of 
mating  sisters  and  brothers,  or  following  too  closely  the  line  of 
descent  from  a  sire  to  his  daughters  or  a  dam  to  her  sons. 

QUESTION — What  kind  of  land  is  best  adapted  to  poultry  rais- 

ANSWER — Poultry  will  thrive  in  any  location  where  vegetation 
of  any  kind  will  grow.  A  sandy  or  loamy  soil  is  preferable,  as  it 
absorbs  offal  easily,  is  quickly  drained  after  heavy  rains  and  is  gen- 
erally dry.  Land  sloping  slightly  with  the  houses  at  the  highest 
point  is  most  desirable. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  result  of  close  inbreeding?  ' 
ANSWER — A    generally    weakened    constitution,    reduced    size, 
increased    susceptibility   to    disease,    development   of    defects,   both 
noticeable  and  latent,  decreased  egg  production,  loss  of  procreative 
power  and  the  production  of  delicate,  short-lived  progeny. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  heavy  laying  fowls  in  the  flock  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  poorer  ones? 

ANSWER — The  only  absolutely  sure  way  is  to  ascertain  the 
number  of  eggs  laved  by  each  individual  hen,  and  perhaps  the  only 
method  which  combines  certainty  and  practicability  is  a  reliable  trap 
nest.  There  is  a  theory  somewhat  commonly  accepted  that  the  best 
layers  of  any  breed  possess  a  body  described  as  slightly  wedge- 
shaped,  by  which  is  meant  that  the  body  when  viewed  from  the  side 
widens  from  breast  to  tail.  They  are  also  generally  active  and  alert, 
with  a  certain  expression  of  the  eye  which  can  be  best  discerned  by 
one  who  has  had  experience  with  fowls  of  this  character.  This, 
however,  is  to  a  great  extent  theory  only. 


QUESTION — What  will  it  cost  to  rear  a  fowl  from  the  time  it 
is  hatched  till  a  year  old? 

ANSWER — To  the  average  breeder  the  cost  will  be  about  one 
dollar. 


QUESTION — How  many  eggs  will  a  good  layer  produce  in  a 
year? 

ANSWER — One  hundred  and  fifty  eggs  per  year  is  a  good  rec- 
ord under  favorable  conditions. 


104  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  prevent  fowls  from  molting  ? 

ANSWER — Molting  is  a  natural  process  which  cannot  be  avoided, 
even  though  it  were  desirable  to  prevent  it.  The  examination  of 
the  plumage  of  a  fowl  after  it  has  been  worn  for  a  year  will  reveal 
the  desirability,  and  in  fact  necessity,  for  new  feathering. 

QUESTION — What  does  it  cost  to  keep  a  hen  a  year? 

ANSWER — No  fixed  price  can  be  stated.  If  one  is  on  a  farm 
or  small  plot  of  ground  where  a  part  of  the  grain  and  green  food 
can  be  raised  the  cost  will  of  course  be  less  than  if  all  food  must  be 
purchased.  On  the  average  farm  the  cost  per  hen  should  not  be  more 
than  60  to  75  cents  per  year.  If  all  food  is  bought  the  cost  would  be 
a  dollar  to  a  dollar  and  a  quarter. 


QUESTION — What  variety  of  clover  is  best  to  sow  to  be  used  as 
food  for  fowls? 

ANSWER — The  ordinary  crimson  variety.  Use  the  second  crop 
which  will  be  freer  of  long,  tough  stems  and  will  be  more  tender 
and  succulent. 


QUESTION — What  amount  of  profit  should  a  poultryman  make 
on  each  hen? 

ANSWER — It  depends  entirely  upon  the  feed,  care  and  general 
management  of  the  flock.  A  poultryman  who  manages  rightly  can 
make  each  fowl  pay  him  a  profit  of  at  least  $2  per  year. 

QUESTION — What  month  in  the  year  is  the  best  for  starting  in 
the  poultry  business? 

ANSWER— If  on  a  small  scale  as  a  fancier,  one  month  is  as 
good  as  another,  except  that  if  the  start  be  made  with  eggs  they 
should  be  /purchased  and  set  in  March,  April  or  May.  Stock  can  be 
purchased  any  time.  A  market  poultry  plant  should  be  stocked  in 
the  Spring  or  Fall. 

QUESTION— What  is  the  greatest  egg  yield  that  can  be  expected 
from  a  single  hen  ? 

ANSWER — There  have  been  individual  birds  that  have  laid  a 
few  more  than  200  eggs  in  a  year,  but  they  are  exceptional  cases, 
and  are  far  above  the  average  that  may  be  expected. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  litter  for  the  scratching  pen  or 
shed? 

ANSWER — Clean  dry  straw  is  perhaps  the  best.  Dry  leaves  are 
also  excellent.  Shavings  and  sawdust  are  sometimes  used,  but  are 
very  undesirable.  Among  the  disadvantages  of  the  two  latter  is 
the  tendency  to  produce  crop  bound. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  105 

* 

QUESTION — How  soon  should  pullets  begin  to  lay? 

ANSWER — It  depends  to  some  extent  upon  the  breed,  and  very 
largely  upon  the  care  and  feeding  from  hatching  time  till  maturity. 
Under  the  most  favorable  conditions  pullets  should  begin  to  lay  at 
about  8  months  of  age. 


QUESTION — Will  oyster  shells  serve  the  purpose  of  grit? 
ANSWER — It  is  a  very  poor  substitute.     The  hard,  flinty  shell 
sometimes  found  does  fairly  well,  but  the  average  shell  is  too  soft. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  tree  to  plant  in  the  poultry  yard? 

ANSWER — Plum  trees  are  considered  the  best.  They  are  of 
quick  growth,  and  conditions  in  the  poultry  yard  seem  to  be  favor- 
able to  them. 


QUESTION — How  deep  should  the  litter  be  in  the  scratching 
quarters  ? 

ANSWER — About  6  inches  when  first  put  in. 


QUESTION — Are  ashes  suitable  for  the  dust  box  for  fowls? 

ANSWER — Clean,  loamy  road  dust  is  the  best.  Coal  ashes  are 
not  good  and  wood  ashes  are  postively  harmful.  They  become  damp 
and  form  a  sort  of  Ive. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  egg-eating  habit  in  hens  be  cured? 

ANSWER — Fowls  that  have  contracted  this  habit  should  be  re- 
moved from  the  remainder  of  the  flock.  There  are  numerous  so- 
called  cures,  but  only  one  that  is  reasonably  sure.  Catch  the  guilty 
bird  and  pare  the  end  of  the  upper  beak  with  a  sharp  knife  till  it 
shows  signs  of  bleeding.  Release  it  and  place  one  or  more  china 
eggs  where  it  can  be  within  constant  reach  of  them.  The  beak  will 
be  very  tender,  and  striking  at  the  eggs  will  cause  great  pain.  Gen- 
erally the  habit  is  broken  before  the  beak  grows  out  again.  If  not 
pare  it  the  second  time.  Feed  grain  and  mash  food  from  a  trough 
while  the  beak  is  tender. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  most  profitable — supplying  eggs  for 
market  or  raising  chickens  for  market? 

ANSWER — -In  choosing  one  or  the  other  branch  most  people 
would  do  well  to  supply  the  egg  trade,  but  both  branches  should 
be  combined  with  the  greatest  attention  given  to  egg  farming. 
Even  on  an  exclusive  egg  farm  there  are  always  surplus  cockerels 
for  sale,  as  broilers,  and  a  certain  proportion  of  the  laying  hens  are 
replaced  each  season  by  the  pullets.  The  amount  of  stock  necessary 
to  be  disposed  of  may  be  increased  considerably  with  little  extra 
effort,  and  will  add  greatly  to  the  profit. 


106  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

• 

QUESTION — When  starting  in  the  poultry  business  is  it  better 
to  purchase  fowls,  or  should  one  buy  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — Buy  fowls  if  your  capital  will  permit  of  it.  By  so 
doing  a  year's  time  will  be  saved.  In  purchasing  eggs  one  is  com- 
pelled to  wait  an  entire  season  for  the  young  stock  to  mature  and 
serve  as  breeding  birds  for  a  foundation.  In  purchasing  stock  one 
can  commence  breeding  operations  at  once  and  can  know  just  what 
kind  of  birds  are  producing  the  eggs  and  what  the  young  stock  will 
probably  be.  This  cannot  be  told  in  the  case  of  purchased  eggs. 
Buying  eggs  is  the  cheaper  method  and  is  all  right  if  the  beginner 
cannot  afford  the  outlay  for  stock  and  is  willing  to  wait  a  little 
longer  for  his  start. 


QUESTION — How  many  standard  breeds  and  varieties  of  fowls 
are  there? 

ANSWER — Twenty-eight  breeds  of  chickens  (not  including 
bantams),  divided  into  seventy-one  varieties.  Nine  breeds  of  ban- 
tams divided  into  twenty-five  varieties.  Six  breeds  of  turkeys  di- 
vided into  six  varieties.  Nine  breeds  of  ducks  divided  into  eleven 
varieties.  Six  breeds  of  geese  divided  into  seven  varieties,  making 
a  total  of  fifty-eight  breeds,  embodying  one  hundred  and  twenty 
distinct  species. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  standard  varieties  of  fowls? 

ANSWER — Mottled  Ancona,  Blue  Andalusian,  Light  and  Dark 
Brahmas ;  Buff,  Partridge,  Black  and  White  Cochins ;  Crevecoeurs ; 
Dominiques;  Colored,  Silver  Gray  and  White  Dorkings;  Frizzles; 
Birchen,  Black,  Black  Breasted  Red,  Brown  Red,  Golden  Duck- 
wing,  Red  Pyle,  Silver  Ducking  and  White,  Games;  Black,  White, 
Golden  Penciled,  Silver  Penciled,  Golden  Spangled  and  Silver 
Spangled  Hamburgs ;  Hondans ;  Cornish  and  W'hite,  Indian  Games ; 
Black  and  Mottled  Javas ;  La  Fleche ;  Black  and  White  Langshans  ; 
Single  Comb  Brown,  Rose  Comb  Brown,  Single  Comb  White,  Rose 
Comb  White,  Buff,  Black  and  Silver  Duckwing,  Leghorns ;  Black 
Breasted  Red  Malays;  Black  and  Wfrte  Minorcas;  Buff  Orping- 
tons ;  Barred,  Buff  and  White  Plymouth  Rocks ;  White  Crested 
Black,  White,  Silver,  Golden,  Buff  Laced,  Bearded  White,  Bearded 
Silver  and  Bearded  Golden  Polish  ;  Redcaps ;  Rumpless ;  Silkies  ; 
White  Faced  Black  Spanish;  Sultans;  Black  Sumatra;  White, 
Buff,  Silver,  Golden,  Partridge,  Silver  Penciled  and  Black  Wyan- 
dottes.  The  Bantams  are  Booted  White ;  Buff,  Partridge,  Black  and 
WThite  Cochins ;  Light  and  Dark  Brahmas ;  Golden  Sebright,  Silver 
Sebright;  Black  Tailed  Japanese;  Black  Japanese;  White  Japa- 
nese ;  Rose  Comb  Black ;  Rose  Comb  White ;  Buff  Laced  Polish : 
White  Crested  White  Polish;  Black  Breasted  Red  Malay.  The 
Game  Bantams  are  Black  Breasted  Red,  Brown  Red,  Golden 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  107 

wing,  Silver  Duckwing,  Red  Pyle,  White,  Black  and  Birchen.  The 
turkeys  are  the  Black,  Bronze,  Buff,  Narragansett,  Slate  and  White 
Holland.  The  geese  are  African,  Brown  Chinese,  White  Chinese, 
Egyptian,  Embden,  Toulouse  and  Wild  or  Canada.  The  ducks  are 
Aylesbury,  Black  East  Indian,  Gray  Call,  White  Call,  Colored  Mus- 
covy, White  Muscovy,  Cayuga,  Crested  White,  Pekin,  Rouen  and 
Indian  Runner. 


QUESTION — What  varieties  of  fowls  worthy  of  mention  are  not 
in  the  Standard? 

ANSWER — Black  and  White  Orpingtons,  Rhode  Island  Reds, 
Rose  Comb  Black  Minorcas. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  meaning  of  "breed"  as  applied  to 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — A  breed  of  fowls  is  a  race  or  family  of  fowls  that 
retain  distinctive  shape  characteristics  and  sometimes  color  mark- 
ings as  well.  For  instance,  the  Blue  Andalusian  possesses  both  shape 
and  color  markings  which  make  it  distinctively  different  from  other 
breeds  or  races.  Most  breeds,  however,  are  chiefly  distinguishable  in 
shape,  and  the  varieties  of  the  breed  are  distinguished  by  their  color. 


QUESTION — W'hat  is  the  difference  between  a  variety  of  fowls 
and  a  breed  of  fowls? 

ANSWER — A  variety  is  a  subdivision  of  a  breed,  as,  for  instance, 
the  Plymouth  Rock  is  a  breed  and  is  made  up  of  the  Barred,  White 
and  Buff  varieties.  The  varieties  of  any  breed  differ  from  each  other 
only  in  color  or  shape  of  comb  or  both,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Leg- 
horns, which  are  a  breed,  but  which  are  divided  into  several  varieties, 
among  which  are  Single  Comb  Brown,  Single  Comb  White,  Rose 
Comb  Brown,  Rose  Comb  White,  etc. 


QUESTION — Does  forcing  hens  for  heavy  egg  production  affect 
the  eggs  for  hatching  purposes? 

ANSWER — Yes.  After  continuous  and  heavy  laying  for  five  or 
six  months  the  germ  in  the  egg  will  not  possess  as  strong  vitality 
and  the  chicks  hatched  from  such  eggs  will  not  come  out  so  strong 
nor  grow  so  rapidly  and  develop  so  fully. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  Standard  of  Perfection? 

ANSWER — It  is  a  book  published  and  copyrighted  by  the  Amer- 
ican Poultry  Association,  and  it  contains  the  description  of  all  Stand- 
ard varieties  of  fowls.  It  is  the  recognized  guide  to  proper  breed- 
ing and  is  the  acknowledged  authority  of  judges  and  breeders.  The 
price  of  it  is  one  dollar,  and  it  can  be  procured  from  any  poultry 
journal, 


108  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Does  lack  -of  exercise  affect  fowls  injuriously? 

ANSWER — Yes.  They  learn  feather  pulling,  egg-eating  and 
other  bad  habits  in  addition  to  the  physical  ailments  resulting  from 
inaction. 


QUESTION — How  can  fowls  be  prevented  from  fighting  through 
a  wire  netting  fence  when  there  is  no  baseboard? 

ANSWER — Stretch  a  wire  the  length  of  the  fence  on  both  sides 
about  eight  inches  from  the  fence  and  about  six  inches  above  the 
ground.  It  can  be  fastened  to  stakes  driven  in  the  ground. 

QUESTION — Is  there  more  money  in  breeding  fancy  poultry  than 
in  producing  eggs  and  meat  for  market  ? 

ANSWER — There  is  if  the  business  is  rightly  managed  and  prop- 
erly advertised.  Market  eggs  sell  for  15  cents  to  50  cents  per  dozen 
and  table  fowls  for  25  cents  to  one  dollar  each.  Eggs  from  high 
grade  exhibition  birds  sell  for  $2  to  $5  per  setting,  and  the  birds 
themselves  for  $3  to  $100  each. 

QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  "dubbing"  fowls? 
ANSWER — Cutting  off  the  combs  or  both  comb  and  wattles.    It 
is  seldom  practiced  except  with  game  fowls. 


QUESTION — If  hens  of  one  breed  are  crossed  with  a  male  of 
another  will  the  two  always  thereafter  be  contaminated  and  unfit 
for  producing  pure  birds  of  their  respective  breed  if  mated  to  their 
kind? 

ANSWER — No.  The  male  is  not  affected  at  all  for  any  length 
of  time.  To  be  absolutely  sure,  the  female  should  lay  from  ten  to 
twenty  eggs  after  removal  from  the  male. 


QUESTION — When  the  male  bird  in  the  breeding  pen  seems 
to  allow  the  hens  to  eat  more  than  their  share  of  the  food,  should 
he  be  fed  separately  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Male  birds  quite  frequently  allow  the  hens  to 
eat  all  the  food,  and  whether  it  is  noticed  or  not,  the  breeder  will 
do  well  to  give  the  male  bird  at  least  an  occasional  meal  by  him- 
self, in  order  to  be  assured  of  getting  well  fertilized  and  hatchable 
eggs. 

QUESTION — How  would  you  rid  a  poultry  house  of  mites  ? 

ANSWER — Remove  from  the  house  all  movable  fixtures  such 
as  nests,  roosts,  etc.,  saturate  them  with  kerosene  and  set  fire  to 
Jhem,  extinguishing  it  before  they  are  injured,  after  which  return 
them  to  the  house  and  give  everything  inside  and  outside  a  liberal 
coat  of  whitewash. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  109 

QUESTION — Can  good  results  be  obtained  from  mating  cocker- 
els and  pullets? 

ANSWER — Yes,  if  they  are  not  too  young.  Birds  between  10 
and  12  months  of  age  will  reproduce  with  good  results. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  most  desirable  mating? 
ANSWER — A  yearling  cockerel  to  one-year-old  and  two-year-old 
hens  or  a  two-year-old  cock  to  yearling  hens. 

QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  starve  bantams  and  stunt  them  in 
that  way  to  get  the  small  standard  weight  birds  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Breeders  who  practice  such  methods  work 
against  themselves,  as  the  birds,  when  placed  in  the  breeding  pen, 
will  prove  a  disappointment.  The  eggs  will  not  be  so  fertile  and  the 
chicks  that  hatch  will  not  be  so  healthy  or  mature  properly.  The 
secret  is  to  feed  well  and  select  the  smallest  birds  as  breeders,  and 
especially  the  females. 


QUESTION — Will  scalding  water  thrown  all  over  the  inside  of 
the  poultry  house,  destroy  the  mites? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Are  any  of  the  standard  breeds  naturally  weaker  in 
constitution  and  harder  to  breed  than  other*? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Does  it  injure  the  male  bird  as  a  breeder  to  cut  o>ff 
his  spurs? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  many  acres  of  ground  should  one  have  in 
order  to  establish  a  poultry  plant  with  a  view  to  making  a  living 
from  it? 

ANSWER — Not  less  tham  ten  acres. 


QUESTION — In  starting  a  poultry  plant  for  market  eggs  and 
meat  is  it  better  to  have  one  breed  for  eggs  and  another  for  meat  ? 

ANSWER — No.  Take  one  of  the  general  purpose  breeds  suitable 
for  both. 


QUESTION — In  clipping  the  wings  of  fowls  to  prevent  flying, 
how  can  it  be  done  so  as  to  not  detract  from  the  looks  of  the  bird  ? 

ANSWER — Clip  only  the  flight  or  primary  feathers  of  one  wing. 
By  so  doing  the  bird  is  not  evenly  balanced  when  it  attempts  to  fly 
and  it  falls  sideways.  When  the  wings  are  closed  the  clipped  por- 
tion of  the  wing  cannot  be  seen. 


110 999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Does  a  fowl  moult  each  year? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  clipping  the  wings  of  a  fowl  injure  it  as  a 
breeder  or  layer? 

ANSWER — No ;  not  in  the  least. 


QUESTION — When  buying  stock  to  establish  a  strain,  is  it  better 
to  buy  from  one  breeder  or  to  mix  various  strains  ? 

ANSWER — Get  all  the  birds  from  one  breeder.  They  will  breed 
more  uniformly. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  best  method  of  preserving  the  drop- 
pings for  fertilizer? 

ANSWER — Mix  them  with  land  plaster  or  dry  earth.  Never 
use  lime  on  them. 


QUESTION — Can  one  man  do  all  the  work  on  a  plant  where 
1,000  fowls  are  kept  and  everything  as  conveniently  arranged  as  pos- 
sible? 

ANSWER — Yes,  but  he  would  have  his  time  fully  occupied. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  is  a  male  bird  considered  in  his  prime 
as  a  breeder? 

ANSWER — Two  years  old. 


QUESTION — At  what  age  does  a  male  bird  become  valueless  as  a 
breeder? 

ANSWER — It  all  depends  upon  the  individual  specimen.  Some, 
birds  are  of  no  value  at  three  years  of  age  and  others  are  all  right 
at  five. 


QUESTION — What  could  cause  severe  bleeding  sores  on  the 
backs  of  hens  in  the  breeding  pen?  , 

ANSWER — Oftentimes  the  continued  attention  of  the  male  bird 
with  sharp  claws  will  cause  this  trouble.  The  hens  should  be  re- 
moved from  the  pen  till  the  wounds  heal. 


QUESTION — Do  different  species  of  lice  require  different  ex- 
terminators ? 

ANSWER — No.    What  will  kill  one  variety  will  kill  another. 


QUESTION — Can  lice  infest  fowls  to  such  an  extent  as  to  injure 
the  plumage  ? 

ANSWER — Yes ;  especially  on  the  head  and  neck,  which  some- 
times are  made  bare, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  111 

QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  assist  fowls  in  molting  by  pulling 
the  plumage? 

ANSWER — No.    Let  the  birds  drop  the  plumage  naturally. 

QUESTION — When  shipping  fowls  is  it  necessary  to  arrange 
for  water  in  the  coop  if  the  journey  is  not  more  than  24  hours? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  recipe  for  the  whitewash  used  by  the 
U.  S.  government  for  lighthouses,  etc.? 

ANSWER — Slake  in  boiling  water  one-half  bushel  of  lime.  Strain 
so  as  to  remove  all  sediment.  Add  two  pounds  of  sulphate  of  zinc, 
one  pound  of  common  salt  and  one-half  pound  whiting,  thoroughly 
dissolved.  Mix  to  proper  consistency  with  skim  milk,  if  possible, 
and  if  not  use  hot  water.  Stir  in  thoroughly  a  half  pint  of  liquid 
glue  and  apply  the  wash  while  hot.  It  may  be  colored  if  desired, 
by  using  yellow  ochre,  ultramarine  blue,  lamp  black,  etc.  It  will 
compare  favorably  both  in  appearance  and  durability  with  a  good 
quality  of  paint. 

QUESTION — Will  the  ordinary  yellow  dalmation  insect  powder 
for  sale  at  drug  stores  kill  lice  on  fowls? 
ANSWER — Not  unless  it  is  very  fresh. 


QUESTION — Should  the  comb  and  wattles  of  capons  be  cut  off? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  many  fowls  can  be  kept  on  an  acre  of  ground  ? 
ANSWER — About  250. 


QUESTION — Is  tarred  paper  in  the  poultry  house  any  advantage 
in  keeping  down  lice? 

ANSWER — It  is  some  protection  against  the  red  mite  until  the 
odor  is  practically  gone. 

QUESTION — How  can  fowls  be  forced  to  moult  early  and  quick- 
ly? 

ANSWER — Feed  them  one  meal  a  day  for  two  weeks.  Then 
pen  them  and  feed  them  heavily  of  a  variety  of  food,  and  especially 
of  a  fattening  nature. 


QUESTION — Are  breeding  birds  influenced  by  environment,  as, 
for  instance,  if  Brown  Leghorn  females  are  kept  in  a  breeding  pen 
of  Barred  Rocks  will  their  presence  have  any  effect  upon  the  off- 
spring of  the  Barred  Rocks  as  far  as  influencing  color  is  concerned? 

ANSWER — It  will  have  no  effect  whatever. 


112  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS. 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  crossbred  bird  that  will  make  a  better 
broiler  than  the  Plymouth  Rock  or  Wyandotte? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Are  there  any  better  birds  than  Leghorns  for  an 
exclusive  egg  farm? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — If  one  has  enough  females  for  two  or  more  males 
can  they  all  be  allowed  to  run  together  with  good  results? 

ANSWER — It  will  be  better  to  divide  the  females  and  confine  each 
lot  with  a  male  unless  the  entire  flock  has  very  wide  range. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  effects  of  inbreeding? 

ANSWER — Unfertilized  eggs,  weak  germs,  chicks  dead  in  the 
shell  at  hatching  time,  weakly  chicks,  chicks  susceptible  to  all  sorts 
of  disease  without  apparent  cause  and  small,  stunted  specimens  of 
slow  growth  are  some  of  the  results.  They  are  not  always  an  indi- 
cation of  inbreeding,  as  they  might  be  present  from  other  causes,  but 
inbreeding  will  have  those  effects. 


QUESTION — How  many  hen  eggs  can  a  bantam  cover  and 
hatch? 

ANSWER — Five  or  six,  sometimes  seven  small  ones  in  warm 
weather. 


QUESTION — Why  do  some  Barred  Plymouth  Rocks  lay  more 
eggs  than  others? 

ANSWER — This  is  true  with  all  the  breeds  and  varieties.  It  may 
be  the  result  of  right  methods  of  feeding  for  egg  production,  or  it 
may  be  that  the  birds  have  been  bred  from  heavy  layers,  and  by  se- 
lection of  the  best  layers  for  breeding  each  season  a  strain  has  been 
established  with  good  laying  as  one  of  its  characteristics. 


QUESTION — Does  it  really  pay  a  busy  poultryrnan  to  take  the 
time  required  to  keep  an  egg  record? 

ANSWER — A  poultryrnan  who  is  in  the  business  for  profit  can- 
not afford  to  do  otherwise.  It  enables  him  to  weed  out  the  non- 
layers. 


QUESTION — Is  there  one  time  in  the  year  when  birds  can  be 
bought  cheaper  than  another? 

ANSWER — Breeders  of  exhibition  stock  usually  make  a  special 
price  in  June  and  July  on  breeding  birds  that  they  do  not  care  to 
carry  over  another  season,  and  often  stock  can  be  purchased  under 
these  conditions  at  less  than  its  real  value. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  113 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  liquid  lice  killer  that  fowls  may  be 

dipped  in  to  kill  the  lice  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  it  customary  for  prospective  buyers  to  enclose 
stamp  for  reply  when  writing  to  breeders  relative  to  the  purchase  of 
stock  or  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — Some  breeders  ask  it.     It  is  not  customary. 


QUESTION — What  can  be  done  with  a  male  bird  that  is  con- 
stantly picking  at  most  of  the  females  in  the  breeding  pen  ? 

ANSWER — Sometimes  a  male  bird  of  a  particularly  pugnacious 
disposition  will  fight  the  females  and  it  is  necessary  to  remove  him 
from  the  pen.  Occasionally  he  may  be  conquered  by  placing  in  the 
pen  another  bird  that  can  keep  him  in  subjection.  A  fight  or  two 
in  which  he  gets  the  worst  of  it  will  generally  answer. 

QUESTION — What  are  the  two  most  important  items  in  suo 
cessful  poultry  raising? 

ANSWER — Cleanliness  and  proper   feeding. 

QUESTION — Is  there  anything  that  can  be  placed  in  the  drinking 
water  that  will  give  continued  immunity  from  disease  as  long  as  it 
is  used  ? 

ANSWER — No.  The  practice  of  putting  medicines  in  the  drink- 
ing water  for  well  fowls  has  injured  the  health  of  many  a  flock. 

QUESTION — Are  there  any  books  devoted  to  the  different  breeds 
of  fowls  ? 

ANSWER — The  Reliable  Poultry  Journal  Pub.  Co.,  Quincy, 
111.,  publishes  books  upon  each  of  the  following  breeds :  Plymouth 
Rocks,  Wyandottes,  Leghorns,  Turkeys,  Ducks  and  Geese,  and 
Bantams.  The  Inland  Poultry  Journal.  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  publishes 
one  on  the  Hamburgs.  The  price  of  the  books  is  50  cents  each. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  most  complete  book  upon  poultry  dis- 
eases ? 

ANSWER— "The  Diseases  of  Poultry,"  by  Dr.  D.  E.  Salmon. 
The  price  is  50  cents.  It  is  published  by  Geo.  E.  Howard  &  Co., 
Washington,  D.  C. 

QUESTION — Are  moth  balls  in  the  nest  a  preventive  of  lice  on 
the  hens? 

ANSWER — They  will  help,  if  the  hens  are  on  the  nest  often 
enough,  but  other  remedies  and  precautionary  measures  are  neces- 
sary. 


114  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Are  the  Cornish  Indian  Games  a  fighting  fowl? 

ANSWER — No.  This  is  a  good  layer  and  a  good  table  fowl  of 
a  peaceful  and  quiet  disposition  that  is  handicapped  by  the  name 
game. 


\ 


QUESTION — Where  can  feathers  from  fowls,  ducks  and  geese 
be  sold? 

ANSWER — One  of  the  largest  buyers  in  the  United  States  is 
Chas.  Emmerich  &  Co.,  194-196-198  Fifth  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

QUESTION — Will  clipping  some  of  the  fluff  from  the  breeding 
birds  sometimes  aid  in  getting  fertile  eggs? 

ANSWER — Oftentimes  the  fluff  is  so  abundant  on  Asiatic  varie- 
ties that  the  male  bird  cannot  fertilize  all  the  eggs  and  in  cases  of 
this  kind  it  is  an  advantage  to  clip  a  small  amount  of  fluff  around 
the  vent. 


QUESTION — If  a  poultryman  subscribes  for  one  good  poultry 
journal,  is  it  not  sufficient  for  him  to  become  well  informed  upon 
poultry  topics? 

ANSWER — He  will  do  well  with  one  but  a  half  dozen  would  be 
better.  No  one  publication  covers  the  entire  field  each  month. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  dropping  boards  be  kept  dry  and  be 
most  easily  cleaned? 

ANSWER — After  each  cleaning,  sprinkle  them  with  sand,  fine 
earth  or  air  slacked  lime. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  standard  weights  of  Plymouth 
Rocks? 

ANSWER — Cock,  9^  pounds;  hen,  7^  pounds;  cockerel,  8 
pounds ;  pullet,  6l/2  pounds. 


QUESTION — Are  all  varieties  of  Plymouth  Rocks  the  same  in 
size,  shape  and  all  other  characteristics  except  color  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  Standard  weights  of  Wyandottes? 
ANSWER — Cock,  83/2  pounds ;  hen,  6l/2  pounds ;  cockerel,  7^2 
pounds;  pullet,  5^2  pounds. 

QUESTION — Where  can  the  best  prices  be  obtained  for  dressed 
poultry  and  eggs? 

A'NSWER — Write  for  price  lists  and  shipping  instructions  to 
Sprague  Commission  Co.,  Chicago;  Chas.  Zinn  &  Co.,  New  York 
City,  and  Adams,  Chapman  &  Co.,  Boston,  Mass. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS,  115 

QUESTION — Is  early  laying  an  indication  that  a  pullet  will  prove 
a  heavy  layer  through  life  ? 

ANSWER — No,  not  always. 


QUESTION — As  a  general  rule  are  feathered  legged  fowls  health- 
ier than  others  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  parti-colored  fowl  ? 
ANSWER — All  varieties  having  two  or  more  colors  of  plumage 
are  termed  parti-colored. 


QUESTION — When  the  poultry  runs  have  been  used  for  a  long 
time  and  the  earth  becomes  saturated  with  droppings  and  disease 
germs,  how  can  it  be  disinfected  and  purified. 

ANSWER — Saturate  it  with  a  five  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic 
acid  and  apply  a  liberal  coating  of  lime.  After  a  few  days  plow  or 
spade  it  up  and  then  level  it. 

QUESTION — Are  dusty  earth  floors  injurious  to  fowls  when  the 
dust  almost  constantly  fills  the  air? 

ANSWER — Yes,  the  inhalation  of  irritating  dust  containing  im- 
purities oftentimes  causes  bronchitis. 

QUESTION — Is  it  profitable  to  conduct  a  broiler  plant  and  depend 
upon  buying  eggs  for  hatching? 

ANSWER — No ;  the  laying  stock  should  be  kept  on  the  place. 

QUESTION — Is  it  injurious  to  fowls  to  feed  them  medicinal  foods 
for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  fertility  of  eggs  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — If  the  male  bird  in  a  pen  of  eight  females  is  taken 
out  every  other  day,  will  the  eggs  be  as  fertile  as  though  he  was  in 
the  pen  constantly? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  Standard  weights  for  Leghorns? 

ANSWER — There  are  no  Standard  weights  for  Leghorns,  but  fe- 
males should  weigh  four  to  five  pounds  and  males  five  and  one-half 
to  six  and  one-half  pounds. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  school  where  persons  can  go  to  learn 
the  poultry  business  ? 

ANSWER — A  short  course  of  instruction  is  given  by  the  Rhode 
Island  Agricultural  College,  Kingston,  R.  I. 


116  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  kind  of  poison  that    can    be    placed 
around  the  poultry  house  for  rats  that  will  not  kill  the  fowls  too  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Can  a  hen  be  set  twice  in  succession,  that  is,  as  soon 
as  she  has  hatched  a  brood  of  chicks,  take  them  irom  her  and  put 
more  eggs  under  her  ? 

ANSWER — It  can  be  done  successfully,  but  it  is  cruelty  to  ani- 
mals and  should  not  be  practiced. 


QUESTION — Are  fowls  subject  in  any  way  to  climatic  changes, 
as,  for  instance,  when  shipped  from  one  climate  to  another  much 
different  one? 

ANSWER — Yes,  in  many  cases.  Sometimes  they  are  affected 
favorably  and  sometimes  unfavorably,  but  they  soon  become  accus- 
tomed to  the  change. 

QUESTION — What  causes  the  hens  to  pick  the  combs  of  the  male 
birds  till  they  bleed  and  in  some  cases  severely  disfigure  them?  TIo»v 
can  it  be  stopped  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  usually  started  by  the  comb  becoming  injured 
in  a  way  to  cause  bleeding.  The  only  remedy  is  to  keep  the  bird 
away  from  the  flock  till  the  comb  has  healed  and  in  the  meantime 
feed  them  plentifully  of  raw  meat. 

QUESTION — What  causes  a  deep  red  color  sometimes,  down  the 
sides  of  the  legs  of  the  yellow-legged  fowls,  and  what  does  it  signify  ? 

ANSWER — It  is  one  of  nature's  unexplainable  acts.  By  some  it 
is  considered  an  indication  of  unusual  vitality  and  evidence  that  the 
fowl  is  especially  prepotent  in  the  production  of  progeny  with  yellow 
legs.  Neither  of  these  theories  is  never  failing. 

QUESTION — If  the  weather  is  such  that  the  large  comb  of  a  male 
bird  is  apt  to  freeze  at  night,  is  there  any  preventive  measures  that 
can  be  adopted? 

ANSWER — Aside  from  providing  warmer  quarters,  a  liberal  ap- 
plication of  vaseline  to  the  comb  and  wattles  will  be  a  slight  protec- 
tion. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  build  up  a  flock  of  pure  bred 
fowls  with  mongrel  females  and  a  pure  bred  male? 

ANSWER — Mate  the  male  to  the  females  and  save  for  use  next 
season  the  pullets  of  the  progeny  which  most  nearly  resemble  the 
breed  to  which  the  pure  bred  male  belongs.  Procure  a  new  male 
bird  each  year  and  follow  the  same  plan  of  selecting  the  females.  In 
five  or  six  years  you  will  have  a  fairly  good  flock. 


399  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  117 

QUESTION — Will  lice  that  are  found  on  poultry  live  and  thrive 
on  human  beings  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — When  purchasing  hens  for  layers  is  it  safe  to  al- 
ways depend  upon  those  with  bright  red  combs  as  laying  or  about 
to  lay? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  mate  the  breeding  birds  so  as 
to  produce  more  pullets  than  cockerels  ? 

ANSWER — There  is  no  rule  that  can  be  absolutely  depended 
upon.  There  is  a  theory  sometimes  advanced  that  the  mating  of 
young  male  birds  to  old  hens  will  produce  the  desired  result,  but  in 
practice  it  will  not  always  do  it. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  best  breed  of  dogs  for  the  poultryman 
for  the  purpose  of  keeping  down  rats  ? 
ANSWER — The  fox  terror. 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  combine  pigeon  raising  with  poul- 
try? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — When  is  the  best  time  to  cull  the  flock? 

ANSWER — The  culling  process  is  always  timely.  Culls  should 
be  disposed  of  as  fast  as  they  develop.  Begin  culling  when  the  chicks 
are  four  weeks  old. 


QUESTION — Are  guineas  any  protection  to  the  chickens  from 
hawks  ? 

ANSWER — A  little.  If  the  hawk  is  seen  approaching  a  guinea 
will  oftentimes  frighten  it  away  by  its  shrill  noise. 

QUESTION — Why  is  it  that  excessive  fat  in  hens  prevents  them 
from  laying  fertile  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — The  germ  can  seldom  reach  the  egg  at  the  proper 
stage  of  development. 


QUESTION — Who  is  supposed  to  be  responsible  for  loss  or  dam- 
age when  stock  or  eggs  are  shipped,  the  buyer  or  the  seller  ? 

ANSWER — The  seller  is  supposed  to  properly  crate  and  pack 
stock  and  eggs  and  take  all  due  precaution  that  the  shipment  reaches 
the  customer  in  perfect  condition.  The  buyer  is  then  supposed  to 
stand  any  loss  or  damage,  but  if  any  is  sustained  through  careless- 
ness of  the  express  company  the  buyer  has  recourse  on  them. 


118  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — Is  it  customary  for  the  purchaser  to  pay  the  ex- 
press charges  on  stock  and  eggs  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  is  meant  by  a  -top  cross  of  White  Rock  on 
White  Leghorns? 

ANSWER — The  using  of  a  White  Rock  male  and  White  Leghorn 
females. 


QUESTION — Does  overcrowding  reduce  egg  production? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Does  the  United  States  issue  any  pamphlets  or 
\  bulletins  for  free  distribution  giving  information  in  regard  to  poul- 
try? 

ANSWER — Yes.  Write  to  the  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  Chief 
of  the  Division  of  Publications,  Washington,  D.  C.,  for  a  list,  which 
will  be  sent  free. 


QUESTION — Will  a  frozen  comb  injure  a  male  bird  as  a  breeder? 
ANSWER — It  will  to  some  extent  by  impairing  the  vitality.    The 
bird  will  be  just  as  valuable  as  before,  when  he  has  recovered. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  breed  of  poultry  that  has  naturally 
five  toes  on  each  foot  ? 

ANSWER — Yes.     The  Dorkings  and  Houdans  have  five  toes. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  public  record  of  prize-winning  fowls 
where  the  pedigree  of  each  bird  is  given? 

ANSWER — There  is  no  system  of  registration  with  poultry  as 
with  some  other  kinds  of  live  stock.  Sometimes  breeders  refer 
to  their  birds  as  pedigreed,  but  in  all  such  cases  the  pedigree  and  rec- 
ord is  a  private  one  and  is  entirely  under  the  supervision  of  the 
breeder. 


QUESTION — Is  it  an  injury  to  pullets  to  mate  them  before  they 
begin  to  lay? 

ANSWER — Not  if  they  are  near  maturity. 


QUESTION — Do  Leghorns  ever  sit  and  hatch  a  brood  of  chicks  ? 
ANSWER — Sometimes  they  do,  but  they  cannot  be  relied  upon 
at  all. 


QUESTION — Is  there  always  a  demand  for  fancy  stock  and  eggs 
at  good  prices? 

ANSWER — Yes,  if  one  advertises  properly. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  does  it  cost  to  have  half-tone  cuts  made  of 
fowls  ? 

ANSWER — The  usual  rate  is  17  cents  per  square  inch  with  a 
minimum  charge  of  $1.50.  Photographs  must  be  furnished  the 
engravers. 


QUESTION — Where  can  half-tone  cuts  be  procured? 
ANSWER — Write  to  the  J.  Manz  Engraving  Co.,  Chicago,  or  to 
Barnes-Crosby  Co.,  Chicago. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  address  of  some  printing  firm  that 
makes  a  specialty  of  printing  for  poultrymen? 

ANSWER — The  Recorder  Publishing  Co.,  334  Dearborn  St., 
Chicago. 


QUESTION — When  will  hens  begin  to  lay,  that  moult  in  Decem- 
ber? 

ANSWER — Generally  not  till  early  spring. 

QUESTION — When  fumigating  a  poultry  house  with  sulphur, 
how  much  and  in  what  manner  should  it  be  used? 

ANSWER — Burn  about  a  pound  of  sulphur  for  every  100  square 
feet  of  floor  space  there  is  in  the  house.  Place  the  sulphur  in  an  iron 
pan  or  kettle,  or  some  sort  of  a  metal  vessel,  and  set  it  in  sand  or 
earth  to  prevent  setting  fire  to  the  house.  Start  a  fire  with  small 
pieces  of  wood  saturated  with  kerosene  and  sprinkle  the  sulphur 
upon  it.  Close  the  house  very  tightly  and  allow  it  to  remain  closed 
for  four  or  five  hours. 


QUESTION — Where  can  one  get  good  plans  for  a  trap  nest  ? 
ANSWER — Write  to  Dr.    S.   A.   McWilliams,   3456   Michigan 
Ave.,  Chicago,  or  F.  O.  Wellcome,  Yarmouth,  Me. 

QUESTION — When  is  it  proper  to  use  the  words  beak  and  bill 
with  reference  to  fowls? 

ANSWER — Beak  is  used  when  referring  to  chickens  and  bill 
when  referring  to  water  fowl.  They  are  the  projecting  mouth  parts 
consisting  of  the  upper  and  lower  mandibles. 


QUESTION — Which  is  proper,  "crop"  or  "craw"? 
ANSWER — Crop  is  correct.    It  is  the  receptacle  in  which  a  fowl's 
food  is  received  before  passing  into  the  gizzard. 

QUESTION — Do  fowls  take  on  fat  more  rapidly  as  they  grow 
old? 

ANSWER — Yes, 


120  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  is  the  meaning  of  the  terms  Cock,  Hen,  Cock- 
erel and  Pullet  ? 

ANSWER — A  Cock  is  a  male  fowl  one  year  old  or  more.  A  Hten 
is  a  female  fowl  one  year  old  or  more.  A  Cockerel  is  a  male  fowl 
less  than  one  year  old,  and  a  Pullet  is  a  female  fowl  less  than  one 
year  old. 


QUESTION — How  large  should  shipping  coops  be? 

ANSWER — 20  inches  deep  and  24.  inches  high.  Have  them  14 
inches  long  for  single  birds,  18  inches  for  pairs,  20  inches  for  trios, 
and  24  to  30  inches  for  pens. 


QUESTION — If  one  is  raising  poultry  and  eggs  for  market,  is  it 
best  to  be  near  a  very  large  city  in  order  to  get  best  prices  for  the 
product. 

ANSWER — One  may  be  three  hundred  miles  from  the  market  if 
necessary.  Express  rates  are  not  high  and  a  twelve-hour  trip  is  not 
too  great. 


QUESTION — Is  there  always  a  demand  in  the  larger  cities  for 
poultry  and  eggs  at  fair  prices? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  fair  price  for  laying  pullets  from  a  good 
laying  strain  of  fowls? 

ANSWER — Two  dollars  each  and  more  if  they  are  high-grade 
Standard  bred  stock. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  recipe  for  kerosene  emulsion  for  spray- 
ing the  interior  of  the  poultry-house  for  mites  and  lice? 

ANSWER — Shave  a  half  pound  of  strong  soap  into  enough  boil- 
ing water  to  dissolve  it  and  while  the  mixture  is  hot,  add  two'  gal- 
lons of  kerosene  slowly.  Do  this  away  from  the  fire.  The  mixture 
should  then  be  violently  churned  until  it  is  of  the  consistency  of 
cream,  after  which  add  ten  gallons  of  water. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  most  popular  breed  of  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — There  are  probably  more  Barred  Plymouth   Rocks 
bred  than  any  other  variety. 


QUESTION — Are  the  smaller  breeds  of  fowls  as  good  winter  lay- 
ers as  the  American  breeds? 

ANSWER — No.    Not  as  a  rule. 


QUESTION — Do  women,  as  a  rule,  make  a  success  with  poultry  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  121 

QUESTION — How  does  poultry  raising  on  the  farm  compare 
with  other  farm  work  as  regards  profit  derived  from  it? 

ANSWER — Under  equally  favorable  conditions,  poultry  can  be 
made  the  most  profitable  branch  of  live  stock  on  the  farm. 


QUESTION — Does  the  Standard  of  Perfection  describe  the  char- 
acteristics of  the  various  breeds  in  addition  to  the  shape  and  color? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Does  it  cost  any  more,  in  any  way,  to  keep  Stand- 
ard bred  fowls  than  common  stock? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  the  Standard  of  Perfection  worth  the  price  or  is 
it  necessary  for  a  breeder  to  have  one? 

ANSWER — One  cannot  breed  fowls  intelligently  unless  he  is 
familiar  with  Standard  requirements.  No  breeder  who  pretends  to 
have  good  stock  should  be  without  a  copy  of  the  book. 

QUESTION — Are  the  numerous  published  egg  records  thor- 
oughly reliable  in  judging  of  the  laying  ability  of  the  breeds? 

ANSWER — No.  They  are  of  no  value  except  as  considered  in 
connection  with  birds  that  made  them. 


QUESTION — Is  it  not  a  fact  that  the  popularity  of  some  breeds 
is  in  the  nature  of  a  fad  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Why  are  there  so  many  Barred  Plymouth  Rocks 
bred? 

ANSWER — The  Barred  Rocks  have  for  several  years  been  the 
most  popular  breed  of  fowls  and  at  the  time  of  their  introduction 
they  were  the  best  general  purpose  fowl.  There  are  not  so  many 
of  them  bred  as  conditions  seem  to  indicate.  The  power  to  transmit 
color  is  so  strong  in  Barred  Rocks  that  if  a  good  male  bird  be 
mated  to  mongrel  stock  of  all  colors  a  large  majority  of  the  chicks 
will  be  barred  and  have  the  appearance  of  low  grade  Barred  Rocks 
when  in  fact  they  are  little  better  than  scrub  stock.  On  this  account, 
the  observer  comes  to  the  conclusion  that  there  are  more  Barred 
Rocks  bred  than  there  reallv  is. 


QUESTION — Where  can  one  obtain  correct  pictures  of  the  vari- 
ous breeds  of  fowls? 

ANSWER — Profile  views  of  perfect  birds  can  |>e  found  in  the 
Standard  of  Perfection. 


122  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — What  ought  poultry  manure    be  worth    for    fer- 
tilizer? 

ANSWER — From  four  to  six  dollars  per  ton. 


QUESTION — Should  the  fowls  be  confined  to  the  house  when 
the  ground  is  covered  with  snow? 

ANSWER — There  should  be  a  small  exit  open  every  day  in  the 
year  regardless  of  the  condition  of  the  weather.  The  fowls  can  be 
trusted  to  decide  whether  or  not  it  is  best  for  them  to  venture  out. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  advantage  in  sending  fowls  to  a  poul- 
try show? 

ANSWER — To  find  out  how  good  your  stock  is,  to  win  some  of 
the  prizes  if  your  stock  is  good  enough,  and  to  place  you  in  touch 
with  people  who  wish  to  buy  eggs  and  stock. 


QUESTION — Which   is   the  best  breed   for  beginners  to  start 
with? 

ANSWER — The  one  which  best  suits  their  fancy. 


QUESTION — Can  poultry  be  raised  successfully  in  the  South? 
ANSWER — Yes,  as  much  so  as  anywhere  else  and  better  than 
some  other  places. 


QUESTION — Will  fowls  deteriorate  after  a  few  years  of  arti- 
ficial incubating  and  brooding? 

ANSWER — No.  The  conditions  existing  on  all  large  plants  dis- 
prove this  theory. 


QUESTION — Has  the  East  any  advantage  over  the  West  in  suc- 
cessful and  profitable  poultry  raising? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  can  the  beginner  best  acquire  a  knowledge  of 
the  appearance  of  the  various  breeds? 

ANSWER — Visit  a  large  poultry  show. 


QUESTION — Is  there  more,  both  fancy  and  market  plants,  in 
the  East  than  in  the  West? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — If  one  has  a  natural  fondness  for  pets  and  is  inter- 
ested in  fowls  from  that  standpoint,  is  he  apt  to  have  greater  suc- 
cess than  someone  not  so  inclined? 

ANSWER — Yes, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  123 

QUESTION — Why  is  there  more  poultry  raised  in  the  East  than 
in  the  West  ? 

ANSWER — Thoroughbred  fowls  were  first  introduced  in  the 
East  and  the  business  naturally  has  the  best  start  there. 


QUESTION — Is  September  a  good  month  in  which  to  hatch  ban- 
tams? 

ANSWER — It  is  a  trifle  late,  but  they  will  do  all  right  with  proper 
care  and  protection  from  cold  weather, 
than  the  supply. 


QUESTION — Where  can  caponizing  instruments  be  purchased? 
ANSWER— Geo.  P.  Pilling  &  Son,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


QUESTION — Do  the  red  mites  live  on  the  fowls  during  the  day? 
ANSWER — No.    They  are  always  found  on  the  underside  of  the 
perch  or  in  the  cracks  of  the  house  or  dropping  boards. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  recipe  for  a  good  liquid  lice  killer? 
ANSWER — Put  one  pound  of  Naphthaline  flakes  into  a  gallon  of 
kerosene.    See  that  the  flakes  are  thoroughly  dissolved  before  using. 


QUESTION — Are  bantam  fowls  as  hardy  as  the  larger  breeds  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Are  Buff  Cochin  bantams  just  the  same  in  every 
respect,  except  size,  as  the  large  cochins? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  supply  artificial  heat  for  bantams  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — How  large  a  house  would  be  required  for  a  pen  of 
ten  bantams? 

ANSWER — House  and  yard  can  be  made  to  occupy  a  place  10 
feet  square. 


QUESTION — Are  bantam  eggs  as  good  for  table  purposes  as 
those  from  large  fowls? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Do  the  same  general  methods  apply  to  the  feeding 
of  bantams  as  to  large  fowls  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  bantams  hatch  their  own  eggs? 
ANSWER— Yes.    They  get  broody  and  sit  like  other  fowls, 


124  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — If  pullets  are  too  fat,  will  they  be  longer  in  starting 
to  lay  ? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  bantams  succumb  to  lice  quicker  than  will 
larger  fowls? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Do  bantams  become  so  tame  as  to  allow  children 
to  handle  them  and  make  pets  of  them? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Can  children  raise  and  care  for  bantams  without 
aid  from  the  older  folks? 
ANSWER— Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  special  way  to  get  extreme  small  size 
in  bantams? 

ANSWER — Only  by  selecting  the  smallest  to  breed  from. 


QUESTION — What  does  the  term  "Booted"  signify  when  applied 
to  bantams? 

ANSWER — Booted  bantams  have  profuse  feathering  on  their 
legs  and  feet  like  a  cochin. 


QUESTION — Are  bantams  subject  to  the  same  diseases    as   the 
larger  fowls? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  do  yearling  hens  compare  with  pullets  as  re- 
gards laying? 

ANSWER — They  lay  better. 

QUESTION — What  is  the  average  cost  of  keeping  growing  stock 
on  the  farm? 

ANSWER — Five  cents  per  head  per  month. 


QUESTION — Is  it  worth  while  to  buy  a  root  cutter  for  cutting 
turnips,  potatoes,  apples,  etc.,  if  one  has  100  fowls? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  is  a  good  make  of  wire  fence  for  a  poultry 
farm? 

ANSWER — The  Page  woven  wire  fence. 


QUESTION — Are  Houdans  good  layers? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — Can  the  poultryman  depend  upon  getting  good 
prices  for  fancy  stock  of  any  of  the  popular  breeds  if  he  raises  the 
best  and  advertises  it? 

ANSWER — Yes.    The  demand  for  good  birds  is  always  greater 

QUESTION — Should  hens  that  finish  the  moult  in  September 
begin  to  lay  as  early  as  November? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — How  large  is  the  largest  poultry  farm  in  the  coun- 
try? 

ANSWER — The  largest  we  know  of  is  one  at  Southern,  N.  H., 
containing  800  acres  and  stocked  with  6,500  hens  the  year  round. 

QUESTION — When  is  the  best  time  to  dispose  of  capons? 
ANSWER — January,  February  and  March. 


QUESTION — What  months  are  the  highest  prices  secured  for 
broilers  ? 

ANSWER — From  December  to  June. 


QUESTION — Can  broilers  be  dressed  easier  than  by  dry  picking? 
ANSWER — Yes.    Slit  the  skin  along  the  back  and  both  skin  and 
feathers  can  be  removed  in  a  moment. 


QUESTION — Is  there  any  book  published  giving  special  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  breeding  for  egg  production? 

ANSWER — Edgar  Warren,  Wolfboro,  N.  H.,  publishes  a  very 
good  book  upon  the  subject  entitled  "200  eggs  a  year  per  hen."  The 
price  is  50  cents. 


QUESTION — Are -white  fowls  that  show  a  brassy  tinge  on  the 
plumage  any  hardier  or  healthier  than  those  that  are  pure  white  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Can  broody  hens  be  broken  up  by  confining  them 
for  two  or  three  days  without  food  or  water? 

ANSWER — No.  This  is  one  of  the  most  cruel  practices  and  it 
should  never  be  done.  - 


QUESTION — Is  15  eggs  per  month  a  good  record  for  fowls  in 
winter  ? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — From  how  far  west  are  eggs  shipped  that  in  the 
New  York  market  reports  are  termed  "Western  Eggs"? 
ANSWER — As  far  west  as  Iowa. 


126  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

QUESTION — What  wages  can  be  secured  on  poultry  plants  by 
experienced  managers? 

ANSWER — From  $40  to  $100  per  month.  It  depends  upon  the 
man,  his  ability  and  the  size  of  the  plant. 

QUESTION — Do  fowls  ever  get  the  roup  if  they  have  dry  houses 
free  from  drafts? 

ANSWER — Very  seldom,  except  by  contagion. 

QUESTION — Why  does  not  the  average  farmer  make  a  reason- 
able, profit  from  poultry  ? 

ANSWER — Because  he  does  not  provide  suitable  quarters  for  the 
fowls  and  feed  regularly  and  in  sufficient  quantity. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  for  best  results  to  give  fresh  water 
daily  in  summer? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — In  order  to  save  money  in  starting  a  poultry  plant 
for  eggs,  would  it  not  be  advisable  to  buy  hens  from  commission 
houses  and  hucksters  who  obtain  them  from  farmers? 

ANSWER — No.  The  hens  they  procure  have  been  discarded  by 
farmers  because  they  were  too  old  to  lay  or  for  other  reasons  have 
outlived  their  period  of  usefulness. 


QUESTION — Is  it  necessary  to  have  litter  in  the  scratching  shed 
in  summer  as  well  as  in  winter? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  young  stock  grow  faster  and  do  better  if  the 
cockerels  are  separated  from  the  pullets  at  about  four  months  of 


age? 


ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  the  meat  of  fowls  having  free  range  as  ten- 
der as  that  of  fowls  that  are  confined? 

ANSWER — No.  The  constant  activity  and  exertion  on  free 
range  hardens  the  flesh  and  toughens  the  muscles. 


QUESTION — Are  not  the  rose  comb  varieties  much  better  for 
cold  climates,  for  the  reason  that  the  comb  will  not  freeze? 

ANSWER — No.  If  a  poultry  house  is  so  cold  that  single  combs 
will  freeze,  it  is  too  cold  for  the  comfort  of  rose  comb  fowls. 


QUESTION — Why  is  it  that  some  people  can  be  successful  with 
a  few  fowls,  but  fail  when  they  greatly  increase  the  number? 

ANSWER— It  is  because  they  cease  giving  proper  attention  tQ 
the  small  details,  an<J  they  usually  overcrowd  the  birds, 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  127 

QUESTION — Will  a  radical  immediate  change  of  the  bill  of  fare 
have  a  tendency  to  temporarily  check  egg  production? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Can  chickens  and  ducks  be  kept  together  success- 
fully in  the  same  houses  and  runs  ? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Is  carrying  fowls  with  the  head  downward  liable 
to  result  in  injury? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  advisable  to  keep  the  old  hens  and  the  pullets 
in  separate  pens? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  easy  to  learn  the  poultry  business,  if  one  takes 
the  proper  interest  in  it? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  there  a  demand  for  competent  managers  of  poul- 
try plants? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Will  darkened  nests  sometimes  break  up  the  egg- 
eating  habit  ? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Can  as  large  a  percentage  of  fertile  eggs  be  ex- 
pected in  January  and  February  as  in  April  and  May,  if  the  very 
best  care  and  feed  are  given? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Can  the  age  of  a  male  be  told  by  the  length  of  the 
spur? 

ANSWER — Not  after  they  are  a  year  old. 

QUESTION — Are  there  any  two  varieties  of  fowls  that  can  be 
allowed  to  run  together  without  their  interbreeding  or  crossing? 
ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  objections  to  allowing  the  droppings 
to  accumulate  under  the  perches? 

ANSWER — They  encourage  the  breeding  of  lice  and  the  odor 
arising  from  them  is  breathed  by  the  fowls  all  night,  and  the  pois- 
oned gases  cause  disease  and  death. 


128  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


QUESTION — Is  pounded  glass  suitable  grit  for  poultry  ? 

ANSWER — No.  It  is  sometimes  mentioned  in  poultry  journals 
as  being  good,  but  it  should  never  be  fed  at  all.  It  is  often  the 
cause  of  mysterious  (?)  deaths. 

QUESTION — Will  overfeeding  of  soft  food  or  mash  cause  roup? 
ANSWER — No.    That  is  a  mistaken  idea. 


QUESTION — What  is  red  albumen  and  will  it  make  hens  lay  ? 

ANSWER — Red  albumen  is  a  fraud.  The  name  was  at  one  time 
given  to  numerous  different  compounds  the  feeding  of  which  was 
supposed  to  phenomenally  increase  the  egg  yield. 

QUESTION — Will  confinement  in  hot,  close  houses  in  summer 
check  egg  production  the  same  as  cold  houses  in  winter? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — If  one  has  read  a  large  number  of  books  and  poul- 
try journals  and  studied  them  well,  can  he  not  start  poultry  raising 
on  a  large  scale  and  make  a  success  from  the  start,  without  actual 
experience  ? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Can  poultry  raising  and  market  gardening  be  com- 
bined profitably  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  there  more  profit  in  poultry  raisi^  than  in  dairy- 
ing, for  the  same  amount  of  money  invested? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Is  it  best  to  keep  the  old  hens  penned  separately 
from  the  pullets  ? 

ANSWER — Yes,  unless  the  breeder  has  ample  range  for  his 
fowls. 


QUESTION — Are  sunflowers  suitable  for  planting  in  the  poultry 
yard,  for  shade? 

ANSWER — Yes.  They  will  have  to  be  protected  from  the  fowls 
till  they  are  about  three  feet  high,  if  there  is  not  ample  green  food 
of  other  kinds  growing  in  the  yard. 


QUESTION — Will  soiled  straw  from  the  horse  or  cow  stables  do 
for  scratching  litter  for  the  hens? 

ANSWER — No.  Chickens  need  clean  surroundings  as  much  as 
other  live  stock,  and  if  the  litter  or  bedding  is  too  dirty  for  the 
horses  or  cows,  it  is  too  dirty  for  chickens. 


009  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS       129 

QUESTION — If  one  wishes  to  have  100  good  laying  pullets  in 
i lie  lull,  how  many  eggs  ought  he  incubate  to  get  that  number? 

ANSWER — About  500  eggs.  This  would  allow  for  male  birds 
and  cull  pullets,  leaving  about  100  good  ones. 

QUESTION — What  is  a  stag? 

ANSWER — Stag  is  a  term  used  for  a  young  male,  but  is  used 
only  by  fanciers  of  game  fowls, 

QUESTION — What  would  be  good  weight  for  Plymouth  Rock 
or  Wyandotte  eggs  ? 

ANSWER — Two  pounds  to  the  dozen. 


QUESTION — How  much  weight  can  be  put  upon  the  ordinary 
farm  chicken,  when  specially  fattened  for  market? 
ANSWER — An  average  gain  of  2l/z  pounds. 

QUESTION— What  ought  it  cost  to  fatten  chickens  for  market  ? 
ANSWER — Five  cents  per  pound. 

QUESTION — Is  there  any  way  to  prevent  male  birds  from  crow- 
ing? 

ANSWER— No.  People  who  are  annoyed  by  the  crowing  of 
male  birds  should  not  keep  chickens. 

QUESTION — Is  constant  crowing  an  indication  of  unusual  vigor 
and  vitality  in  a  male  bird  ? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION— Why  are  the  American  breeds  of  fowls  considered 
the  best  for  table  poultry? 

ANSWER — Because  of  the  full  breast  and  general  plumpness  of 
the  carcass  in  connection  with  desirable  size  and  weight. 


QUESTION — Why  are  the  Leghorns,  as  a  rule,  better  layers  than 
the  larger  breeds? 

ANSWER — They  are  not  inclined  to  broodiness,  and  are  sus- 
ceptible to  being  forced  for  heavier  egg  production. 

QUESTION — Is  line  breeding  profitable  or  necessary  with  mar- 
ket poultry  as  well  as  fancy  fowls? 

ANSWER — Yes.  The  best  layers  are  obtained  by  breeding  from 
the  best  layers  and  this  is  line  breeding, 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  largest  fowl  of  the  non-sitting  vari- 
eties ? 

ANSWER — Minorcas. 


130  999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS. 

QUESTION — Why  do  fowls  that  have  free  range  produce  a 
larger  per  cent  of  fertile  eggs  than  those  kept  in  confinement. 

ANSWER — Because  the  average  fowl  in  confinement  is  not  fed 
properly.  The  difference  is  all  in  the  feeding. 


QUESTION — How  can  ordinary  stoneware  milk  crocks  be  used 
for  drinking  fountains  and  the  fowls  prevented  from  getting  into 
them? 

ANSWER — Procure  a  circular  piece  of  board  about  one  inch 
greater  in  diameter  than  the  top  of  the  milk  crock.  Nail  pieces  of 
lath  12  inches  long  all  around  the  edge,  2  inches  apart.  Set  this 
frame  over  the  crock,  placing  a  weight  on  top  of  it  if  necessary. 


QUESTION — What  is  the  mode  of  killing  fowls  on  the  large  mar- 
ket plants  where  they  are  dressed  and  sent  to  market  without  re- 
moving the  head  ? 

ANSWER — A  sharp-pointed  knife  is  used  and  the  point  is  thrust 
into  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  thence  upward  into  the  brain,  which  pro- 
duces unconsciousness  and  enables  the  killer  to  pluck  the  feathers 
easily  and  quickly. 


QUESTION — Why  is  so  much  stress  laid  upon  exercise  and  com- 
pelling fowls  to  scratch  for  most  of  their  food? 

ANSWER — Exercise  creates  a  healthy  appetite,  develops  bone 
and  muscle,  is  invigorating,  stimulates  a  healthy  circulation,  pro- 
motes digestion,  keeps  the  mind  and  body  occupied  and  prevents  the 
forming  of  bad  habits,  such  as  feather  pulling,  egg  eating,  comb 
picking,  etc. ;  keeps  the  body  warm  and  in  healthy  action  in  winter, 
saves  food,  prevents  gorging  and  the  resultant  evils,  such  as  crop- 
bound,  indigestion  and  diarrhea;  prevents  birds  from  becoming 
over-fat,  makes  eggs  more  fertile  and  productive  of  stronger  chicks 
and  tends  to  prevent  rheumatism  and  cramps  in  old  fowls  and  leg 
weakness  in  chicks. 


QUESTION — Which  breeds  stand  confinement  best? 
ANSWER — Cochins  and  Brahmas. 


QUESTION — Do  laying  hens  need  more  food  than  those  that  are 
not  laying? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  can  be  fed  to  rats  that  will  kill  them,  with- 
out chance  of  injury  to  fowls? 

ANSWER — Mix  equal  parts  of  corn  meal  and  plaster  of  paris 
and  place  it  in  the  rat  holes.  The  plaster  of  paris  hardens  in  the 
stomach  of  the  rat  and  is  sure  death. 


999  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  131 

QUESTION — What  weight  capon  sells  best  ? 
ANSWER — Birds  weighing  about  7  pounds. 


QUESTION — Which  is  the  most  popular  variety  of  the  Wyan- 
dotte  family? 

ANSWER — The  Whites. 


QUESTION — Are  the  early  molting  hens  more  to  be  desired  than 
the  late  ones  ? 

ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — Why  do  women  usually  have  better  success  with 
young  chicks  than  men  do? 

ANSWER — They  are  naturally  more  attentive  to  the  wants  of 
the  chick,  and  they  give  it  better  care. 


QUESTION — What  percentage  of  males  and  females  can  be  de- 
pended upon  as  the  result  of  incubating  any  given  number  of  eggs  ? 
ANSWER — Half  and  half  is  as  near  as  it  can  be  estimated. 


QUESTION — Will  oil  meal  take  the  place  of  animal  food  in  the 
bill  of  fare? 

ANSWER — No. 


eggs  ? 


QUESTION — What   are   some   of  the  main  causes   of  infertile 


ANSWER — Weak  and  debilitated  breeding  stock,  lack  of  exer- 
cise, improper  feeding  and  lack  of  animal  and  green  food  and  too 
many  females  in  the  pen? 


QUESTION — Will  the  moving  of  laying  hens  from  one  pen  to 
another  affect  their  laying? 

ANSWER — It  mav  for  a  few  days.    In  some  cases  it  does  not. 


QUESTION — Are  lice  as  troublesome  and  plentiful  in  winter  as 
in  summer? 

ANSWER — No. 


QUESTION — Will  fright  and  rough  treatment  of  he.is  check  the 
egg  production? 
ANSWER — Yes. 


QUESTION — What  are  the  main  objects  of  litter  in  the  houses 
and  scratching  sheds? 

ANSWER — Cleanliness  and  exercise. 


919  QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS  133 


_SpeciaI  Announcement 


The  attention  of  the  reader  is  respectfully 
directed  to  the  advertisements  appearing  upon  the 
following  pages. 

They  are  as  valuable  a  part  of  the  book  as  any 
of  the  information  contained  in  the  preceeding 
pages.  They  are  not  published  here  for  the  sole 
reason  of  revenue,  but  more  as  a  guide  for  the 
reader  who  wishes  to  purchase  stock,  eggs  or  ap- 
pliances and  who  is  not  sufficiently  familiar  with 
conditions  to  intelligently  decide  where  to  place  his 
order. 

•.."-i;-«V~    •'•  *  ''         '•'      ' 

The  writer  wishes  to  give  these  advertisers  his 
full  and  and  unqualified  endorsement  and  to  em- 
phasize the  fact  that  they  are  among  the  leaders  in 
their  respective  lines.  They  are  honorable,  reliable 
business  men  and  are  financially  responsible.  We 
would  not  hesitate  to  send  them  any  amount  of 
money  and  we  know  from  personal  experience  and 
arid  observation  that  what  they  have  to  offer  is  as 
good  as  can  be  purchased.  When  writing  to  any 
of  them,  it  will  be  to  the  interest  of  the  reader  to 
state  that  the  "ad"  was  seen  in  this  book. 

FRANK  HECK 


The  Famous  Root's  Strain 


First  Prize  Pen  at  PAN-AMERICAN. 


White  Plymouth  Rocks 

Beauty  and  Utility  Combined 

Winning  at  CINCINNATI  every  First  and  Special. 

PAN- AMERICAN,  15  entries,  10  prizes,  including  the 
great  prize  of  First  Pen.  More  prizes  than  any  other  exhibitor  in 
my  class. 

CLEVELAND  A.  P.  A.  SHOW,  every  first,  every 
special,  including  the  A.  P.  A.  and  WHITE  ROCK  CLUB  CUPS. 

They  win  for  me  and  for  my  customers  all  over  our  country  and 
they  will  for  you.  No  better  winter  layers  th:m  my  WHITE  ROCKS. 

Catalogue  showing  the  largest  and  most  modern  WHITE  ROCK 
PLANT  and  telling  how  to  feed  and  fit  your  birds  for  the  show  room  is 
free  for  the  asking.  A  world  of  youngsters  waiting  to  win  the  rib- 
bons for  you. 

MAY  R.  POULTRY  PLANT,  Connersville.  Ind. 

D.  T.  ROOTS,  Prop. 


HOUDANS 


Rigg's  Houdans,  the  acknowledged  standard  of 
Houdan  excellence  in  America,  has  stood  the 
most  severe  of  all  tests,  the  show  room  and  the 
breeding  pen  .  .  • ;.'.  ;•'.  .v  f 

For  twenty-nine  years  this  carefully  bred  strain 
has  supplied  leading  breeders  with  their  winners, 
and  the  blood  of  this  strain  has  been  eagerly 
sought  by  the  best  breeders  in  America  and 
England  .  ..VI;"  .'  ''.'':  ':/ 

None  others  can  approach  these  Houdans  in  size, 
style  and  finish  .  -.  '"V; 

TWOS.   F.   RIGG      ; 


Secretary  American  Houdan  Club 


Iowa  Falls,  Iowa 


Rose  Gomb 
White  Leghorns 


The  handsomest  variety  of 
the  Leghorn  family  and  ack- 
nowledged to  be  the  most 
prolific  layers  of  all  breeds., 
My  birds  are  bred  for  beauty 
and  utility  and  are  sure  to 
please  you.  They  have  won 
the  best  prizes  in  the  strongest 
competition  in  America,  in- 
cluding Madison  Square  Gar- 
den, N.  Y.  My  prices  for  stock  and  eggs  are  right.  Write  for 
circular. 

W.  W.  BABCOCK,  Campbell,  N.  Y, 


First  Prize  Cock  at  New  York,  1903. 


INCUBATORS  AND  BROODERS 
r«11l  Hatch  and  Brood  Your  Chicks,  BUT 

STEINMESCH 

EXTRA  QUALITY  "QUICK  HEAL" 

CHICK  FEED 

Is  needed  to  raise  them  all— make  'em  grow  1 
and  thrive  like  a  Green  Bay  Tree.  STEINMESCH ' 

f chick  feed  is  a  mixture  of  cracked  grains.! 
small  seeds— Beef  Bone  and  Grit.  Twenty 
different  kinds,  especially  prepared  for  the 
rearing  of  chicks,  from  the  time  they  are 
hatched  until  ten  weeks  old.  Peed  dry,  always  j 
handy  and  ready  for  nse.  No  waste,  always  i 

[the  same.      The  Best,  and  no  higher  in  j 

L  price  than  other  feeds. 

Price,  100- 1 b.  Sack,  $2.6O 

Will  feed  40  chicks  10  weeks. 

•  END  ORDERS  TO 

STEINMESCH  &  CO. 

ST.  LOUIS.  MO. 

Agents  for  Cyphers  Incubaton 

L    and  Brooders  and  all  kind* 

of  Poultry  Supplies. 

Fno  Circular  for  th« 

••king. 


University  of  Wisconsin 

Agricultural  Experiment  Station 

MADISON,  wis. 

STEINMESCH  &  Co., 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

GENTLEMEN: — The  analysis 
of  the  sample  of  your  "Quick 
Meal"  Chick  Feed  has  been 
completed  and  the  feed  was 
found  to  contain  9.67  per  cent 
moisture,  12.50  per  cent  protein 
and  3.10  per  cent  fat. 

Very  truly  yours, 

F.    W.    WOLL, 
In  charge  of  Feed  Inspection 


BEST  BY   TES 


Something  New"Try it  &  ifyou  like  it  Buyjt.  Sample  free. 


Every  authority  on  poultry  recommends  a  morning  mash  for  poultry,  especially 
during  the  fall  and  winter  months     Our  Mash  is  made  up  of  the  very  choicest  Win- 


ter WKieat  Bran,  and  Middlings,  ushed  Oats,  Linseed  Meal,  Bone  and  Beef  Meal, 
,  Clover  Meal,  Charcoal,  eU.  Nothing  better  owing  and  adult  fowls;  wi1!  push 

fthe  young  "-'ick  to  quick  maturity,  will  help  adults  through  the  moult,  insuring 

health  and  vigor  for  both.    The  greatest  egg  producer  ever  offered. 

Price  $     50  for  50  Ibs.,  $2.50  for  100  Ibs., 

and  we  pay  the  freight  on  ]  1 1bs.  or    lore  to  any  part  of  the  United  States  east  of  the 
•  '         '  '    -         Circulars  f 


pa 
Mo 


Rocky  Mountains.    Write  ior  catalogue.    Ci 


free. 


Aerrt-ttfegBu  CTFIiViVIFCrri  j& 

100FEEDSFOR1011ENS.    ^1  Infill   •l.rjVI  1     CTk 

^MANUFACTURERS— 

\rj  Dealersin  Fancy  Poultry&Poultry  Supplies  of  everjDescription 
Wo.5  North  Main  St. St.Louis,  Mo. 


IDEAL  ALUMINUM   LEG  BAUD, 


Absolutely  the  cheapest  and  best,  firmest  and  most  secure 
lock,  quickly  put  oil  and  guarantee  to  stay  on.  Price  postpaid,  12 
for  15c;  25  for  30c;  50  for  50c;  100  for  ?5c.  All  supply  dealers  sell 


then.- 


FRANK  MYERS 

MANUFACTURER 


Box  100, 


Three  samples  mailed  for  5c. 


Freeport*,  111. 


DORR    BUFF    WYANDOTTE     FARM 

ACKLEY  &  PAGE^  PROPRIETORS 


19O3 


1ST  PULLET,  INDIANAPOLIS 

2ND   PULLET,   CHICAGO 


1ST    COCKERAL,     INDIANAPOLIS 

4TH  COCKEREL,  CHICAGO 

largest Tareeders  of  Buff  Wyandottes  in  America.     Forty  acres  devoted  to  them  exclusively. 
Handsome  birds  and  great  layers.     Stock  for  sale  gad  eggs  for  hatching. 


WOODSTOCK, 


ILLINOIS 


IT  IS  A  FACT 


THAT 


BRIGHT'S  BARRED 
PLYMOUTH   ROCKS 


HAVE  WON  MORE  PRIZES 
AT  BIG  SHOWS  THAN 
ANY  OTHERS. 

j       For  Five  Years  they  have  won  more 
V  First  Prizes  at  Americas  Greatest 

Show,   Bostxm,    t>h<m   all    ot»hers 

combined. 


FIRST  PRIZE 

on  Cockerels  at  Pan-American,  1901;  New 
York,  Boston  and  Philadelphia,  1902;  is 
the  greatest  record  ever  made  in  one 
show  season.  Besides  winning  many 
other  prizes  at  the  above  shows  they  have 
captured  the  lion's  share  at  Washington, 
Toronto,  Providence,  New  Haven,  Hart- 
ford, Worcester  and  Clinton. 

This  strain  of  Rocks  is  an  all  around 
winning  strain.      It  has  the  plumage,  the 

size,  the  shape,  the  undercolor,  the  strong  wings  and  tail,  the  nice  refined 

heads,  the  bay  eyes  and  yellow  legs, 

Our  Single  Comb  Brown  Leghorns 

are  just  as  good  as  our  Barred  Rocks.     They  will  win  in  any  competition. 


1ST  PRIZE  COCKEREL,  NEW  YORK,  1902 


GROVE  HILL 
POULTRY  YARDS 

BOX    563 

Waltham,  Massachusetts 


ELLERY  BRIGHT, 
Proprietor 


Arnold's 
Mff  Leghorns 


are  the  oldest  and  best  bred  strain  in 
America,  and  represented  in  all  civilized 
countries  On  the  globe,  and  are  winners 
wherever  exhibited.  They  are  becoming  more 
popular  each  year.  EggS  in  Season. 

Stock  for  Sale  at  all  times 


Address 


Aug.  D.  Arnold,  Dillsburg,  Pa. 


Black  Minorcas 


Lay  the  largest  and  most  eggs  of  all  known 
breeds  of  hens,  as  has  been  proven  in  many 
contests  in  United  States,  Canada,  Aus- 
tralia and  throughout  the  different  countries 
of  Europe.  Minorcas  are  the  largest  of  the 
non-sitting  breeds  and  unsurpassed  for 
table  use  .  -.  •'• 

GEO.    H.    NORTHUP 

RACEVILLE,  N.  Y.,  is  the  largest 
breeder  of  Black  Minorcas  in  the  world. 
Send  stamp  for  his  large  28  page,  fully 
illustrated  catalogue. 


1 

1 


1 


WyckofTs 

Single  Comb  White  Leghorns 

Partridge  Wyandottes 
Silver  Penciled  Wyandottes   | 


Prize  'Winners  at  Best  Snows 


The  following  is  my  record  for  1902.  show  season  on  Single 
Comb  White  and  Buff  Leghorns,  and  Partridge  and  Silver  Penciled 
Wyandottes  at  three  of  America's  leading  shows  where  competition 
was  open  to  the  world.  My  birds  won  35  firsts  and  33  seconds — 
more  firsts  and  seconds  than  all  competitors  combined.  This,  with 
the  entire  stock  of  line  bred  birds  of  the  late  Ezra  Cornell,  which 
holds  an  unparalleled  record  at  Pan- American,  Boston  (1900)  and 
New  York  for  the  past  ten  years,  places  my  stock  at  the  head. 
Forty  matings  of  the  above  that  are  bound  to  produce  winners  for 
the  coming  season.  Eggs  for  hatching:  Leghorns,  $3.00  per  15; 
Silver  Penciled  Wyandottes,  $5.00  per  15;  Partridge  Wyandottes,  $3.00 
per  15. 


(My  prize  winning  birds  are  hatched  in  Cornell  Incubators      <P; 
and  reared  in  Peep  O'Day  Brooders.) 


E.  G.  WYCKOFF     - 

Valley    View    Poultry    Yards 


Box  Z 


ITHACA,  N.  Y. 


Sec.-Treas.  American  Rose  Comb  Black  Minorcas  Club. 


S.  T.  CAMPBELL, 


Minorcas 

I^ose  Comb 
Black 

EXCLUSIVELY 


The  winter  layers  of 
the  20th  Century,  having 
records  of  247  eggs  per 
hen  in  one  year.  Also 
prize  winners  having  won 
every  first  at  Chicago, 
1903. 

Mansfield,  Ohio 


erome  s 

White    Minorcas 

) 

have  made  an  unbroken  record  in  the  best  show  rooms  of  the 
country  for  twelve  years.  There  is  no  handsomer  fowl 
than  the  White  Minorca,  and  we  have  them  as  good  as  they 
can  grow.  They  are  good  layers  of  large  white  eggs  and 
are  money  makers.  We  do  not  sell  eggs  for  hatching,  but 
have  for  sale  at  all  times  the  choicest  exhibition  and  breed- 
ing stock  at  reasonable  prices. 

Chas.  W.  Jerome  &  Co., 


Box   H. 


FABIUS,  N.  Y. 


Conkey's  Roup  Cure 

GUARANTEED! 

Cor*  Key's  Roup  Cure,  the  only  remedy  positively  known  to 
cure  Roup  in  all  its  forms,  as  long  as  the  fowl  can  see  to  drink.  For  Canker, 
•especially  in  pigeons,  this  cure  excels  all  others.  One  50  cent  package  makes 
25  gallons  of  medicine.  Directions  with  every  package.  If  it  fails  to  cure  we 
refund  the  money.  Postpaid,  small  size,  50  cts.;  large  size  $1.00. 

II.  I).  No.  7,  Auburn,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  20,  1903, 
G.  E.    ONKEY  &  Co.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen:— Enclosed  find  £1)  c  uts  for  which  please  send 
one  small  sized  box  of  your  Roup  Cure.  Over  a  year  ago  I 
sent  for  a  box  of  some,  j  thru  had  160  Leghorn  hens  with 
the  Roup.  I  only  usi  d  about  half  of  the  box  and  cured  them 
all.  Have  not  had  auy  Roup  in  my  coops  since  until  now 
when  on  visiting  my  hens  I  find  them  all  with  colds  and  Roup 
from  exposure  to  draughty  due  to  carelessness  of  man  hired 
to  care  for  them.  Do  riot  know  what  I  should  do  if  I  did  iwt 
knowabout  your  Roup  Cure,  as  my  hens  are  still  fine,  fat, 
laying  hens  and  J  have  worked  hard  with  them  all  winter  to 
keep  them  laying  and  healthy.  The  man  tells  me  that  several 
have  already  died  and  the  rest  have  nearly  stopped  laying,  so 
please-seud  the  Roup  Cure  as  soon  as  possible,  and  oblige,  ' 
Yours,  etc.,  MRS.  METTIE  BEDKLL, 

•  Lyons,  N.  Y  ,  March  10,  1902. 
G.  E.  CONKEY  &  Co.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen:— Some  weeks  ago  my  hens  were  taken  with 
Canker  and  were  dying  r  pldly  in  spite  of  a  1  I  could  do.  I 
saw  your  acl  a'  d  purchased  one  box  of  your  Roup  Cure  and 
not  lost  a  sing  e  hen  since  I  used  the  medicine.  It  is  worth 
ten  times  its  cost.  Yours  vet  y  truly, 

WM.  COLEMAN,  (Breeder  of  S.  C.  B.  Leghorns). 

Pilot  Mound,  Manitoba.  Canada,  March  9,  1902. 
MESSRS  G.  E.  CONKEY  &  Co.  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sirs:— Please  find  end-  fed  $1.00  for  which  send  me  as 
BOOH  as  possible  one  larg  package  of  \  our  Roup  Cure.  I  must 
sa  that  if  will  do  all  you  can  claim.  It  is  the  only  thing  that 
will  cure  Roup  that  I  have  ever  tried.  I  recommend  it  highly 
to  all  breeders.  *  Yourstruly, 

R.  B.  PREESTON 

Cocrte  Farms  Poultry  Yards. 

Irondequoit,  N.  Y..  March  6, 190  - 
G.  E   CONKEY  &  Co..  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen:— Enclosed  please  find  81.00  for  another  box  of 
your  well  known  Roup  Cure.   We  consider  it  worth  its  weight 
lu  gold  where  you  are  fightin  r  Roup  and  we  ought  to  know 
for  we  are  running  the  largest  Poultry  riant  in  Western  New  York.     Yours  very  truly, 

SHERMAN  &  BOORS,  per  J.  SHERMAN,  JR. 
(Breeder  of  White  and  Buff  Wyandottes  and  B.  P.  Rocks.) 


Box  133,  McKeesport,  Pa.,  Dec.  30,  1901. 
M'-ssrs,  G.  E.  CONKEY  &  Co.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen:— Enclosed  please  find  $1.00  for  which  send  me  another  box  of  y  ur  Roup  Cure.  I  find  it 
all  right  and  am  wel  pleased  with  it.  1  heat  my  coop  with  gas  and  that  cold  snap  we  had  froze  up  our 
gas  pipes  as  tln-r  was  water  in  them  and  I  had  no  heat  in  the  coops  for  three  '  ay  ;  and  every  one  of  my 
fowls  got  to  sniffing  and  running  at  the  nostrils  ani  I  sed  Roup  Cure  as  per  directions  "For  colds  half 
strength"  and  I  got  every  one  right  again.  I  used  the  cure  one  week  and  every  one  came  out  all  light 
so  I  want  to  have  a  box  on  hand  in  case  I  need  it  again.  Yours  respectfully 

THOS.  WEISSENBERGER. 

R.  F.  D.  No.  5,  Geneva,  X.  Y.,  Feb.  20.  1!>02. 
G.  E,  CONKEY  &  CO.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen:— Enclosed  find  $1.00  for  which  please  send  a  large  package  of  Conkey's  Roup  Cure.  I 
have  given  the  Cure  a  thorough  trial  and  find  it  to  be  fnlly  up  to  your  guarantee.  Last  fall  my  flock 
had  the  Roup  in  its  worst  form  and  two  larg  •  packages  of  your  medicine  entirely  cu  ed  them. 

Your    truly,        FREDERICK  KUNES. 

AGENTS     WANTE  D. 
Manufactured  by  G.  E.  CONKEY  (Sb  CO.,  Cleveland,  O. 

FOR  SALE  BY  ALL  POULTRY  SUPPLY  HOUSES  AND  DRUGGISTS. 


Buff    Orpingtons 

at  the  National  Show  in  Chicago 
Wo  have  won  more   first  prizes,  than  all  com- 
petitors combined  for  3  years  in 
succession. 


-In  19O3 


we  won  5  firsts^  competing  against 

WM.  COOK  &  SONS 

of  England  and  the  best  breeders  in  the  United 

States 

MICHIGAN  STATE  SHOW 
We  have  won  every  first  prize  for  3  years 

J.  M.  WILLIAMS  &  CO. 

circular  Free  North  Adams,  Mich* 


White 
Wyandottcs 


AND 

Pckin  Ducks 

We  raise  hundreds  of  the 
very  choicest  birds  and  can 
furnish  customers  the  best  to 
I  e  obtained  anywhere.  Our 
birds  are  bred  for  great  egg 
production  as  well  as  to  win 
in  the  show  room  and  they 
do  both.  Stock  for  sale  at 
all  times,  and  eggs  in  season. 
Write  for  free  circular  and  price  list,  we  will  more  than  please  you. 


2d  prize  Hen  at  Chicago,  1903 
2d  prize  Hen  at  Illinois  State  Fair,  1903 


CLEMENT 


Box  F 


PIKE 

Prairie  View,  III. 


Not  Alone  "How  Many," 

But  Also  "How  Good." 


A  Poultry  Fact 


of  highest  importance  is  set  forth  in  those 
Words.  In  buying  and  operating  an  incu- 
bator, it  is  not  merely  a  question  of  "How  Many  Chicks"  can  be 
hatched;  an  equally  important  point  is  "How  Well-hatched  Will  They 
Be,"  in  order  that  they  may  live  and  grow  properly.  The  Patent 
Diaphragm,  Non-moisture,  Self- Ventilating  and  Self-Regulating 


CYPHERS  INCUBATORS 


will  hatch  not  only  the 
largest  percentages  of  fertile 
eggs,  but  positively  and  in- 
variably will  produce  larger, 
stronger  and  better  chicks 
and  ducklings  than  any 
other  style  or  make  of  in- 
cubator in  the  world — this 
we  guarantee. 

THE 
PROOF 

of  this  is  furnished  in  our 
new  main  catalogue,  which 
fully  describes  Cyphers  Incu- 
bators, Brooders  and  Poultry 
Appliances,  and  in  which 
appear  a  few  samples  of  the 


Thousands  of  Testimonials 

We  have  received  from  prominent  Fanciers  and  leading  successful 
Practical  Market  Poultrymen. 

AH  Over  The  World 

Send  TEN  CENTS  for  our  large  illustrated  catalogue,  full  of  valuable 
and  interesting  information  for  poultrymen.     Ask  for  Book  H. 

CYPHERS  INCUBATOR  COMPANY 

Factory  and  Home  Office:    BUFFALO,  N.  Y. 


CHICAGO,  ILL, 

310  Fifth  Avenue 


BRANCH     HOUSES: 
NEW  YORK,  N.  Y.: 

23  Barclay  Street 


BOSTON,  MASS.. 

34  Merchants  Row 


Overbaugh's 
Buff  Rocks 


Are  the  Greatest  Prize  Winning 
Strain  in  the  World. 

THAT  is  why  we  raise  and  sell  annually  more  prize 
winners  than  any  other  breeder  of  this  variety. 
I  have  recently  purchased  the  entire  flock,  business  and 
good  will  of  Dr.  O.  P.  Bennett,  and  his  birds  combined 
with  my  own  give  me  without  doubt  the  greatest  and 
grandest  collection  of  show  ^birds  and  breeders  that  can 
be  found  in  America.  The  breeding  of  Buff  Plymouth 
Rocks  is  my  sole  business,  receiving  my  close  personal 
attention,  and  I  am  always  deeply  interested  in  the 
success  of  my  customers,  as  their  words  of  praise  of  the 
stock  shipped  them  have  contributed  largely  to  my 
success  and  made  my  strain  the  acknowledged  leader 
with  a  world  wide  reputation.  I  do  not  exhibit  but 
make  a  specialty  of  furnishing  birds  for  customers  to 
show.  I  therefore  sell  some  of  the  very  choicest  birds 
that  can  be  raised,  and  I  am  in  a  position  to  furnish  stock 
that  will  win  in  any  competition.  Do  not  fail  to  write 
me.  I  positively  guarantee  satisfaction  in  every  instance. 

W.  H.  OVERBAUGH 

HANOVER,  PA. 

BOX    H 


First  prize  cock  at  New  York,  1902. 
From  life  by  Sewell. 


are  in  the  front  rank  because  their  record  places 
them  there.  The  rich  color  and  distinct  pencilling 
which  makes  the  Partridge  Cochin  the  most  beau- 
tiful of  all  fowls  are  line  bred  characteristics  of 
the  Mitchell  strain.  They  are  just  as  strong  in 
shape  and  their  superiority  is  freely  accorded  them 
by  judges  and  breeders  everywhere.  Their  record 
at  the  great  New  York  show  1902  is  one  of  their 
latest  grand  sweeping  victories.  They  were  award- 
ed ist  and  2nd  cock,  ist  and  2nd  cockerel,  ist  and 
2nd  hen,  ist  and  2nd  pullet  and  ist  pen,  winning 
all  the  firsts  offered  and  all  the  seconds  except  one 
making  the  greatest  record  ever  obtained  by  a 
breeder  of  this  variety.  The  first  prize  cockerel 
was  awarded  the  special  prize  for  the  best  Cochin 
of  any  variety  in  the  entire  show  competing  against 
the  Buffs,  Partridges,  Whites  and  Blacks.  They 
have  for  years  won  the  leading  prizes  and  have 
competed  at  the  largest  shows  in  America  in  elud- 
ing Boston,  New  York,  Buffalo,  Indianapolis, 
Charleston,  etc. 

STOCK  FOR  SALE  AT  ALL  TIMES.    ALL    ORDERS  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  GIVEN  THE 
CLOSEST  PERSONAL  ATTENTION. 


GEO.  W.  MITCHELL, 


BRISTOL,  CONN. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN     INITIAL     FINE     OF    25     CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


mm 


23    1933 


JUU   3 
NOV  13  1943 


SEP  14  1955  LU 


i 


LD  21-50m-l,'3S 


186714 


-'.r.   it?*- 


